Department for Transport

A303: Dual Carriageways

Sir Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made with plans to dual the A303 from the M3 to Taunton; and if he will make a statement.

Rachel Maclean: Highway England’s delivery plan to be published later this year will contain details of the schemes which will contribute to provision of a high quality dual carriageway link between the London and the South East and the South West.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether representatives of the business travel sector will be included in his Department's aviation restart and recovery unit.

Kelly Tolhurst: The business travel sector is represented on the Restart and Recovery Unit’s Expert Steering Group by the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). In addition, I most recently met with the BBGA on a bilateral basis on 11 June.

Aviation: Freight

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which UK produce and products, by value, comprise the main freighted items transported by air to international markets; and what the primary destinations are of those products.

Kelly Tolhurst: Information on the value of goods by mode of transport is only available for goods exported to non-EU countries that are cleared for customs purposes at UK airports from HMRC. Table 1 displays the top five product categories exported by air by value in 2018, and the associated top five export partner countries for these goods. Table 1: Main UK good exports by air to non-EU countries by value, 2018Goods category exported by air, and top 5 export countriesExports, £ billionsPrecious metals, stones and jewellery30.18Switzerland14.75China4.58Turkey2.47Hong Kong2.22United Arab Emirates1.64Machinery and mechanical appliances19.96United States5.12United Arab Emirates2.18Singapore1.98Hong Kong1.69Japan1.01Pharmaceutical products8.41United States3.81China1.02Japan0.63Australia0.24Saudi Arabia0.23Electrical machinery and equipment7.28United States2.01China0.60Hong Kong0.49Singapore0.34United Arab Emirates0.40Optical, measuring, medical or surgical instruments6.79United States2.45China0.65Japan0.52Hong Kong0.29Saudi Arabia0.23

Electric Scooters: Speed Limits

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what evidence his Department assessed when deciding to set the speed limit for e-scooters in forthcoming trials at 12.5mph.

Rachel Maclean: The Department’s consultation on the rules for e-scooters proposed a speed limit of 12.5 mph. The Department considered evidence available from international organisations, published reports and considered the rules for e-scooter use in other countries. We also took account of the responses received from the Future of Transport regulatory review call for evidence. The proposed speed limit also directly influences what other rules should apply to the use of e-scooters. There is limited evidence on the impact of different speed limits for e-scooters and a range of speed limits apply in other countries.  However, we are currently analysing the responses to the consultation.  The trials will allow us to gather evidence about the about the use of e-scooters and their effects on other road users. This will inform future policy for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles.

Electric Scooters: Energy

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what evidence his Department assessed when deciding to set the motor wattage for e-scooters in the forthcoming trials at 350W.

Rachel Maclean: The Department’s consultation on the rules for e-scooters asked whether there should be a maximum power set for e-scooters and asked whether 350W is an appropriate limit. The Department has considered evidence available from international organisations, published reports and considered the rules for e-scooter use in other countries. We also took account of the responses received from the Future of Transport regulatory review call for evidence. The proposed power limit also directly influences what other rules should apply to the use of e-scooters. There is limited evidence on the impact of different maximum power limits for e-scooters and a range of different power limits apply in other countries. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation. The trials will allow us to gather evidence about the use of e-scooters and their effects on other road users. This will inform future policy for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles.

A47

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2020 to Question 13604 on the A47, what the planned dates for construction are for each of the six A47 schemes approved in the second Roads Investment Strategy published in March 2020.

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers he has to direct Highways England to ensure that construction of the six A47 improvement schemes approved under the second Roads Investment Strategy begins.

Rachel Maclean: The second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) published in March 2020 includes a commitment to start construction of these schemes in the current road period (2020-2025) and has confirmed funding will be available for Highways England to do so. Highways England will shortly publish its delivery plan, which will confirm the timing for their delivery. The Office of Rail and Road, as the Roads Monitor, holds Highways England to account in delivering RIS2, publishes reports on their performance and has statutory enforcement powers.

Airports: Coronavirus

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) airports and (b) their associated industries in the (i) East and (ii) West Midlands.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a result of COVID-19, and has been engaging regularly with airports throughout all regions of the UK, including the East and West Midlands, to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on their operational and financial positions. This engagement is ongoing. It is of vital importance that key sectors such as aviation are protected, and this means not just airports, but also the wider supply chain, including ground handlers and associated industries, who keep the sector running. We are working closely with the sector to support it to ensure there is sufficient capacity to protect global travel routes, continue repatriation, freight and maintain vital connectivity. Businesses across the aviation industry, including airports, ground handlers and companies in their supply chains, are able to draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time.

Shipping: Health Services

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the (a) mental and (b) physical health of seafarers.

Kelly Tolhurst: The mental and physical health of seafarers is an important issue. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has just published two complementary publications ‘Wellbeing at Sea: A guide for organisations’ and ‘Wellbeing at Sea: A pocket guide for seafarers’ to support organisations and individuals to prioritise wellbeing onboard. I welcome the framework that was issued by the IMO which seeks to address crew change issues that have emerged due to the pandemic and have had adverse impacts on the health and wellbeing of seafarers. I have previously written to UN organisations asking for an international solution to this issue, confirming the UK’s position on crew changes, and also urged other countries to allow crew changes to take place. DfT Officials have been working with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and support the steps taken by the working group to aid the mental and physical health of seafarers. In addition, Government guidance for operators and passengers has been updated to provide greater detail on how social distancing can be maintained in the maritime sector and customer-facing roles to reduce the risk to staff health whilst ensuring services keep running. Under the new PPE guidance, DfT officials are working with industry to ensure seafarers and passengers have adequate access to face masks prior to boarding vessels in order to protect their physical health.

Driving Instruction and Driving Tests: Coronavirus

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when driving lessons and practical driving tests will resume; and whether tests cancelled as a result of covid-19 will be reimbursed in full.

Rachel Maclean: As the health and safety of staff and customers is key, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working closely with the Department for Transport to prepare for a safe return to testing. It will announce details of resumption in due course.The DVSA recommends that, currently, approved driving instructors (ADI) should only provide lessons to candidates who have an essential need.Before practical driving tests are reintroduced, the DVSA will inform the driver training industry. This will help candidates prepare and reach the standard of driving needed to pass their test.Candidates who have had their practical driving test suspended as a result of COVID-19 will receive an email from the DVSA telling them the date of their rescheduled test. The test will be rescheduled automatically, and free of charge. The candidate can, if they prefer, request a refund of their practical test fee.

British Airways: Redundancy

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to support British Airways employees that are at risk of redundancy; and what the timeframe is for the provision of that support.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department for Transport is in regular contact with airlines, airports and unions to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector and its workers. However, we do not comment on discussions held with individual companies, as this information is commercially sensitive.The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a result of COVID-19. The aviation sector is important to the UK economy and will be able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor and on May 12, the Government announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme would be extended for four months, until the end of October. Until the end of July, there will be no change. From August to October, the scheme will continue for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work.In response to COVID-19 the Department for Work and Pensions have established an alternative service to their usual face to face offer. People will be able to access redundancy help and job search advice on the Department’s new Job Help campaign website. There’s also information on Gov.uk and updated information packs provided to employers to help them signpost employees to the support that is available.

Railways: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department is providing to Network Rail on new open access rail applications such as those on the Great Western Main Line to operate between London, Bristol and South Wales.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department responded to Network Rail’s consultation on the latest open access application on the Great Western Main Line. The matter remains under consideration by Network Rail and the independent Office of Rail and Road.

Railways: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his oral contribution of 12 May 2020, Official Report, column 176, what guidance he has provided to Network Rail on supporting new open-access rail applications.

Chris Heaton-Harris: It is Network Rail’s responsibility to carry out a rigorous and robust assessment of the capacity and performance impacts on the network of each new open access application. The Department engages with Network Rail, as appropriate, on each new open access application.

Railways: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) existing and (b) proposed open access rail operations; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for determining access to the track for open access operators. However. we acknowledge that open access operators can play a contributory role improving rail services for passengers in circumstances where it delivers new and innovative services. The DfT, as the competent franchising authority, have to balance the benefits of new open access operators with the impact on the value for money of taxpayers’ significant investment in the railway. We are aware that some open access operators have paused operations due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and hope to see them return to the network as soon as possible.

Great Western Railway Line: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he plans to provide to new open access rail proposals on the Great Western Mainline.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for determining access to the track for open access operators. However, we acknowledge that open access operators can play a contributory role improving rail services for passengers in circumstances where it delivers new and innovative services. The DfT, as the competent franchising authority, have to balance the benefits of new open access operators with the impact on the value for money of taxpayers’ in the railway.

Great Western Railway Line: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to support Network Rail to identify available rail capacity on the Great Western Mainline for new open access rail services between London, Bristol and South Wales.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department responded to Network Rail’s consultation on the latest open access application submitted on the Great Western Main Line. The matter remains under consideration by Network Rail and the independent Office of Rail and Road.

Railways: Infrastructure

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with regard to the November 2015 Report from Sir Peter Hendy on the replanning of Network Rail's Investment Programme; how many of the (a) 79 projects to be delivered in CP5 and (b) eight sub-projects of the Great Western Electrification programme (i) were completed in CP5, (ii) have been completed so far in CP6, (iii) are planned to be completed by the end of CP6 (a) are not expected to be completed by the end of CP6.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by Sir Peter Hendy on the replanning of Network Rail's Investment Programme, published in November 2015; how many of the 16 projects with significant delivery in CP5 and completion in CP6 (a) have been completed so far in CP6, (b) are planned to be completed by the end of CP6 and (c) are not expected to be completed by the end of CP6.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department is just over one year into the CP6 period and continues to progress its plans. To date five projects have been completed in CP6.Network Rail publish on a quarterly basis all schemes in delivery. The latest published report can be found at:https://cdn.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-England-and-Wales-March-2020.pdfThe DfT also published an update in October which set out all schemes in development stages in the pipeline. The latest publication can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/840709/rail-network-enhancements-pipeline.pdf

Travel: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June to Question 56177 on Travel: coronavirus, on how many occasions he has discussed the 14-day quarantine rule for entering the UK with the Home Secretary.

Kelly Tolhurst: I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given on 11 June 2020, PQ UIN 56177.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people that are legitimately not wearing a face covering on public transport are identifiable to (a) the public and (b) transport staff.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Government’s updated Safer Transport guidance for operators and for passengers highlights that specific exemptions apply, including for health, equality or age reasons. We are ensuring that operators have appropriate communications and staff briefing in place so that both staff and passengers are aware of the exemptions. Train operating companies have communicated the exemptions to their customers and staff, as have other operators. If prompted by staff, passengers should explain that they are exempt from the regulation. We know some operators have a badge or lanyard scheme which assists with this.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Regeneration

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of investment in innovation and skills on the regeneration of local economies.

Amanda Solloway: Innovation and skills will play a vital role in the regeneration of local economies. However, they are only part of the picture in the regeneration of local economies. We are considering how we can support the UK create good jobs, tackle weak growth and productivity, level-up our regions to deliver a UK economy which is stronger, cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient. As we look to build back better, it is crucial that we listen to what business is telling us about what they need and how Government should approach recovery and renewal. Last week, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State led a series of roundtables, bringing together businesses, business representative groups and leading academics to consider the measures needed to support the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-19. The insight gathered through these roundtables will help identify ways in which Government can work together with business and other stakeholders to support a green and resilient recovery, and ensure the UK is at the forefront of new and emerging industries. Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) play a crucial role in supporting local economies to recover and renew. The Government is committed to increasing R&D investment across the economy to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, building on existing strengths in areas with high potential for future growth, and providing innovation-led support in less R&D intensive regions to support their continued growth. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), working together with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), is engaging with local partners to assess the current impacts being felt in local economies to build a strong understanding of how investment in research and innovation will contribute to the regeneration of local economies going forward through the development of local recovery plans and an ambitious R&D Place Strategy. Matching high quality skills provision with local economic need is crucial to improving regional productivity and contributing to the regeneration of local economies. The Government takes a multi-faceted approach to addressing this challenge. In response to the impact of Covid-19 on national and local economies, the Department for Education (DfE) is developing proposals that target skills support at those who will be hardest hit. Any new support will flex in response to local demand and will assist places in their economic recovery. DfE has also established Skills Advisory Panels (SAPs) working with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs). These have helped places to identify local skills priorities, based on analysis of the local area, and agree how these will be met through local education and training provision. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is also working closely with my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education on the developing skills proposals. Through this work Government is continuing to work with local areas to identify local labour market priorities and enable an effective response.

Post Office: Coronavirus

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support the Post Office during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: The Government views the services provided by the Post Office as essential and that is why, on 23 March, the Government designated 'key worker' status to Postmasters and their staff, allowing their children to remain in school. This has meant that subject to social distancing guidelines, Post Office has sought to keep as many branches opens as possible during the Covid-19 outbreak. To support postmasters through this period, Post Office has provided income top ups to many thousands of branches in April, May and June. This support backs Postmasters for their dedication and hard work in keeping their Post Office open and ensures that some of the country's most vulnerable people can continue to benefit from the essential services the Post Office provides. BEIS continues to work with Post Office to ensure as many branches can remain open as possible and particularly that communities’ access to essential services is protected during this challenging time.

Biofuels

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his plans to (a) promote the cultivation of and (b) develop processing facilities for bioenergy crops will be put in place in all parts of the UK.

Kwasi Kwarteng: BEIS works across the UK government and alongside the Devolved Administrations to deliver our carbon budgets and net zero target for 2050. Analysis by the Committee on Climate Change of low-cost pathways to net zero has suggested that an expanded domestic supply of bioenergy feedstocks could be valuable in meeting those targets.BEIS does not directly fund the promotion of bioenergy crops and their processing. BEIS currently supports the production of low carbon electricity and heat from bioenergy feedstocks through schemes such as the Feed in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive, and continues to explore the scope for innovation to address economic and technical issues facing the bioenergy sector.Land use and agriculture are devolved matters.

Manufacturing Industries: Carbon Emissions

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what additional (a) support and (b) funding the Government plans to provide to the manufacturing industry sector to help that sector achieve carbon neutral status.

Nadhim Zahawi: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 16 June 2020.The correct answer should have been:

While we are rightly focusing on taking action to tackle the immediate Covid-19 crisis, we continue to prioritise efforts to deal with the serious challenges of climate change. The Government remains committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. We will continue backing this objective by funding programmes that accelerate the shift to electrification. For example, the Faraday Challenge is providing £274 million to ensure the UK leads the world in the design, development, and manufacture of batteries for the electrification of vehicles. The 2017 Made Smarter Review highlighted the economic (£455bn GVA + 175,000 jobs)and environmental opportunities (4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions) for the UK’s manufacturing sector until 2027. This includes £455 billion Gross Value Added, the creation of 175,000 jobs, and a 4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions. The development of low carbon technologies will benefit the UK economy, as well as reduce carbon emissions, including through the creation of new jobs. We will establish the world’s first net zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at least one low carbon cluster by 2030. This is the second mission under the Clean Growth Grand Challenge, launched in December 2018, and is the most relevant to those manufacturing industries that often co-locate in clusters. UK Research & Innovation is delivering up to £170 million to support the deployment of low carbon technologies in one or more clusters.

Nadhim Zahawi: While we are rightly focusing on taking action to tackle the immediate Covid-19 crisis, we continue to prioritise efforts to deal with the serious challenges of climate change. The Government remains committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. We will continue backing this objective by funding programmes that accelerate the shift to electrification. For example, the Faraday Challenge is providing £274 million to ensure the UK leads the world in the design, development, and manufacture of batteries for the electrification of vehicles. The 2017 Made Smarter Review highlighted the economic (£455bn GVA + 175,000 jobs)and environmental opportunities (4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions) for the UK’s manufacturing sector until 2027. This includes £455 billion Gross Value Added, the creation of 175,000 jobs, and a 4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions. The development of low carbon technologies will benefit the UK economy, as well as reduce carbon emissions, including through the creation of new jobs. We will establish the world’s first net zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at least one low carbon cluster by 2030. This is the second mission under the Clean Growth Grand Challenge, launched in December 2018, and is the most relevant to those manufacturing industries that often co-locate in clusters. UK Research & Innovation is delivering up to £170 million to support the deployment of low carbon technologies in one or more clusters.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with lenders accredited under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme; and what recent assessment he has made of the timeliness of those lenders in (a) approving and (b) releasing funds to small businesses that meet the eligibility criteria for that scheme.

Paul Scully: The Government continues to hold a regular dialogue with the largest Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lenders to monitor its implementation.There are now over 80 accredited lenders of the CBILS and individual lending decisions remain at the discretion of these lenders. There has been significant demand for the Scheme and lenders are fully aware of the current urgency, so we expect them to respond appropriately to their customers’ needs.Since the CBILS was introduced, Government has made several improvements to speed up the application process and ensure businesses are getting the support they need. These include:Clarifying that all lenders should use automated, rather than manual, credit checks when assessing the viability of a business;Removing the forward-looking viability test;Removing the per lender portfolio cap; andRemoving any requirement for the main lenders to interact with the British Business Bank systems before issuing loans.As of 14 June, facilities have been issued to 49,247 businesses, with a value of £10.11 billion.We have also introduced the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). This scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. To apply, businesses need to complete a simple online form which can be processed by their lender in a matter of days. As of 14 June, 863,584 loans have been issued, worth £26.34 billion. We continue to receive feedback on all our support for businesses and will seek to identify any areas for improvement.

Offshore Fixed Structures: North Sea

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to make a decision on the (a) removal of the Brent concrete gravity-based installations and (b) derogation for leaving the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket east of Shetland.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The decision on the Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta concrete gravity-based installations is currently being considered, and we are keeping the OSPAR Contracting Parties informed of our progress. We have no detailed timetable and a formal decision is expected to be made in due course. In regard to the decision to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket, we expect to be in a position to make a decision within the next 2 months.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to extend the Development Consent Order for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon after the expiry date of 30 June 2020.

Kwasi Kwarteng: There are no plans to extend the Development Consent Order for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon which was granted on 9 June 2015. The Government remains open to consideration of marine energy technologies, provided they can demonstrate that they represent value for money to the taxpayer and consumer.

Intellectual Property: UK Relations with EU

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to restrict European Economic Area address for service rules at the Intellectual Property Office in the event that there are no reciprocal rights of representation before the EU Intellectual Property Office at the end of the transition period; and if he will make a statement.

Amanda Solloway: The Government is aware that this is an important issue for stake holders, in particular UK-based patent and trade mark attorneys. Rights of representation before EU institutions and courts are the preserve of the Single Market and so do not form part of the UK Approach to negotiations with the EU. This means that UK representatives will no longer have the right to represent before the EUIPO at the end of the Transition Period. This is without prejudice to the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) which ensures that UK legal representatives can continue to represent their clients before the EUIPO in procedures that are ongoing at the end of the transition period. Officials at the Intellectual Property Office and the Ministry of Justice are having ongoing conversations with stakeholders on representation rights and address for service once the transition period ends.

Intellectual Property: UK Relations with EU

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has estimated the number of jobs at risk in the event that the Government grants European Economic Area intellectual property practitioners unrestricted access to the UK Intellectual Property Office without reciprocal access for UK practitioners to the EU Intellectual Property Office at the end of the transition period.

Amanda Solloway: The Government is aware that this is an important issue for stake holders, in particular UK-based patent and trade mark attorneys. Officials at the Intellectual Property Office are having ongoing conversations with representative bodies over how to best address this matter once the transition period ends.

Employment: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking with businesses to ensure the safety of people with (a) diabetes and (b) other underlying medical conditions who are returning to work as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully: It is critical that employers offer safe workplaces. The Government has published guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These guides cover a range of working environments and are available at www.gov.uk/workingsafely. Nothing in this guidance affects employers’ existing responsibilities under employment and equalities legislation. Employers therefore need to bear in mind the particular needs of different groups or individuals, and make sure that the steps they take to address the risk of COVID-19 do not unjustifiably impact on some groups compared with others. The safer workplaces guidance provides information to employers on how best to meet these responsibilities in the context of COVID-19.

Energy: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the level of debt that has accumulated in the energy sector since the covid-19 outbreak; and what plans he has to support (a) suppliers and (b) consumers in tackling that debt in the short term.

Kwasi Kwarteng: On 19 March the Government established an industry-wide voluntary agreement to a set of principles for assisting energy consumers, through difficulties caused by Covid-19. The support offered is based on the individual circumstances of the customer and the systems, processes and capability of the supply company, but includes measures such as extending discretionary or friendly credit, adjusting payments and the recovery of debts and sending out a pre-loaded top up card for traditional prepay customers who are unable to top up. Government has also introduced wider schemes to assist both consumers and businesses during the Covid-19 outbreak, including schemes to provide affordable government backed loans. Government has supported household incomes through the Job Retention Scheme to enable employers to furlough staff and the Self Employment Income Support scheme. Government has also introduced a number of temporary changes to Universal Credit to better support consumers on low incomes through the outbreak, including significant increases to payments. Government and Ofgem have supported energy suppliers in their ability to manage costs and support their customers by providing a loan to the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) to ease the additional pressures on supplier Contracts for Difference (CfD) payments and the ability for suppliers to defer part of the network charges, in order to free-up short term working capital and enable the support of customers in need. It is too early to say what level of debt has accumulated since the Covid-19 outbreak. Government continues to regularly engage with Ofgem energy suppliers and consumer advocates to understand the evolving picture.

Energy: Infrastructure

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential effect on levels of employment of making energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Upgrading energy efficiency supports jobs and economic activity right across the country, from rural areas to large cities. In 2018, the domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency sector employed 153,600 people, with turnover of £21 billion and exports of almost £900 million. It also delivers a wide range of other economic benefits, for example: lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, fewer households in fuel poverty, lower costs of decarbonisation, and improved health and air quality.

Housing: Energy

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made a recent estimate of the proportion of Energy Company Obligation funding spent on identifying suitable homes for energy efficiency measures.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The costs for identifying suitable homes has been estimated at around £257m for the three and a half year duration of ECO3 (2018 – 2022). That would be around 11% of the total estimated cost of the scheme.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to paragraph 2.15 of the Budget 2020 Red Book, what his timetable is for bringing forward amendments to the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2018.

Kwasi Kwarteng: On 28th April 2020 BEIS published a Stakeholder Notice on changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive Schemes (RHI). The proposals were to extend the Domestic RHI for a further year, introduce a new allocation of Tariff Guarantees on the Non-Domestic RHI and extend current Tariff Guarantee commissioning deadlines. These proposed changes are designed to provide for a smooth transition into the future support schemes for low carbon heat and afford large scale projects impacted by delays to construction due to Covid-19 additional time to commission and receive RHI funding. This Notice closed to responses on 19th May 2020. BEIS understands the importance of delivering as much certainty to industry as possible at this time. As such, having now analysed the responses received to the Notice, officials are working to publish the Government Response and make the necessary regulatory changes in the coming weeks.

Housing: Energy

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of low carbon heating technologies on new build homes; and what steps the Government is taking to provide financial support for those technologies.

Kwasi Kwarteng: In the Government’s Future Homes Standards consultation, which closed 7 February, we proposed that new homes built to this standard should have 75-80% fewer CO2 emissions than those built to current building regulation standards. An impact assessment on the Future Homes Standard will be published when we consult on the details of the policy proposals. We will carefully consider any impacts on costs and housing supply as part of the consultation.

Housing: Energy

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether local authorities are legally empowered to enforce compliance with energy efficiency standards for homes.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Since 1 April 2020, The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) require that, subject to certain exemptions, all domestic private rented sector landlords improve their properties to a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band E. Local authorities have a range of powers under the Regulations to enforce compliance with the minimum energy efficiency standard, including the ability to serve a compliance notice, a financial penalty and/or a publication penalty that makes details of the breach available to the public. The Department has launched a landlord exemptions register (“the PRS Exemptions Register”) which is used by local authorities to help target their enforcement activity, and is conducting enforcement pilots with local authorities to develop best practice around enforcement of the Regulations. In addition, local authorities use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (“HHSRS”), a health-based, risk assessment framework, to evaluate 29 specific hazards, including excess cold, in homes. For private rented sector properties, if a HHSRS assessment identifies a hazard at 'category 1' level, then local authorities have a duty to take formal enforcement action, ranging from a Hazard Awareness Notice to an Emergency Remedial Action (where remedial works are carried out immediately by the local authority and the landlord billed). The HHSRS also forms part of the Decent Homes Standard, the minimum standard that social housing should meet.

Energy: Meters

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government has taken to support energy suppliers in meeting smart meter installation targets during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Ofgem wrote to energy suppliers on 8 April 2020 to provide them with flexibility to temporarily deprioritise non-essential meter installations. This enabled energy suppliers to focus on: ensuring that customer needs were met, particularly the most vulnerable; maintaining secure, reliable and safe supplies of energy to consumers in the short to medium term; and ensuring the safety and protection of consumers and their workforces. The Government is working with energy suppliers to re-mobilise the roll-out of smart meters, further to guidance published on 11 May 2020 on working safely in people’s homes during COVID-19.

Energy: Meters

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make installation of smart meters in residential homes mandatory to help ensure targets for installation of that technology are met.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government has consulted on proposals for a new policy framework to continue to drive market-wide rollout of smart meters after the current duty on energy suppliers ends in December 2020. We are carefully considering the range of responses and evidence submitted, ahead of publishing a Government response. We will see seek to do this as soon as is practicable.

Energy: Meters

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making it compulsory for new build homes to be fitted with smart meters.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The New and Replacement Obligation (NRO) in requires energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to install a compliant smart meter where a meter is fitted for the first time including in new build properties. The Government has consulted on proposals for a new policy framework to continue to drive market-wide rollout of smart meters after the current duty on energy suppliers ends in December 2020. This consultation sought views from stakeholders about what policy measures the Government should consider in order to complement the proposed market-wide rollout obligation. We are carefully considering the range of responses and evidence submitted, ahead of publishing a Government response. We will see seek to do this as soon as is practicable.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of annual contract for difference auctions; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government keeps all aspects of the Contracts for Difference scheme under review on an ongoing basis. In 2018, the Government announced its intention to run auctions under the scheme every two years. The last auction took place in 2019, and the next is scheduled to take place in 2021. The Government recently consulted on a range of potential changes in connection with the 2021 auction and will respond to this consultation in due course.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the capacity cap from contract for difference auctions; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Capacity caps can drive competitive auctions and deliver value for money for consumers. In the absence of a capacity cap or similar constraint, competitors in Contract for Difference auctions would have no incentive to bid below the wholesale price of electricity. A capacity cap was first deployed in the third Contract for Difference auction in 2019, which secured nearly twice the capacity of the previous auction with a 30% reduction in clearing prices. We continue to keep all aspects of the Contracts for Difference Scheme under review and will publish auction parameters in due course.

Renewable Energy: Sales

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of opening up the sale of locally produced renewable electricity.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The current licensing framework, which Ofgem operate and enforce, already allows electricity generators to apply for a licence to sell energy to consumers. A supplier licence allows the licensee to supply electricity to domestic and non-domestic premises, or non-domestic premises only. It also bestows upon them certain obligations towards consumers through standard licence conditions (SLC) and also charges to be passed onto consumers, such as network costs and the cost of Government policies. In addition, the licensee is required to maintain, become party to, or comply with the industry codes that underpin the wholesale and retail markets. Nonetheless, Ofgem recognises that a one size fits all licensing framework may be too prescriptive for some business models and introduced a Licence Lite which allows aspiring suppliers or distributed energy generators to apply for a supply licence and receive a direction which relieves them from the obligation in SLC 11.2 – compliance with industry codes. In addition, Ofgem have introduced a regulatory sandbox in which innovators can try new products and business models. Government and Ofgem are reviewing the licensing framework in light of changing business models and our commitment to reach Net Zero. We want to ensure that the regulatory regime continues to protect consumers and is flexible in response to a changing energy system.

Electric Vehicles: Cycling

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to encourage the manufacture of e-bikes in the UK.

Nadhim Zahawi: We want the UK to be the best place to start and grow a business and to be a world leader in the way people, goods, and services move. As part of our planning for the future UK economy, we will be policies that will move us towards a stronger, fairer, greener economy that builds on UK strengths, such as science and entrepreneurship. We have invested £350 million in the seven High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres across the UK, which are supporting manufacturers to bring new technologies to market, and we will be investing an additional £600 million by the end of 2023. As part of the Future of Transport Grand Challenge, we are working with the Department for Transport to ensure firms, including e-bike manufacturers, have access to the right supply of talented labour and the right business support, including access to finance. The Department for Transport is also working to create a flexible regulatory framework for micromobility vehicles and, through funding to support the uptake of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, is helping us to create domestic demand, which is essential to growing the UK e-bike manufacturing base.

Employment: Diabetes

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent guidance his Department has issued to employers on ensuring a safe workplace for employees with diabetes.

Paul Scully: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



It is critical that employers offer safe workplaces. The Government has published guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These guides cover a range of working environments and are available at www.gov.uk/workingsafely. Nothing in this guidance affects employers’ existing responsibilities under employment and equalities legislation. Employers therefore need to bear in mind the particular needs of different groups or individuals, and make sure that the steps they take to address the risk of COVID-19 do not unjustifiably impact on some groups compared with others. The safer workplaces guidance provides information to employers on how best to meet these responsibilities in the context of COVID-19.

Aerospace Industry

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of plans in (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) the US to support their domestic aerospace industries.

Nadhim Zahawi: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



We continually assess the impact on global aerospace supply chains of other countries. My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a host of measures to help businesses through this period, including those in the aerospace sector, with £330 billion worth of Government-backed and guaranteed loans made available to support businesses across the UK. The Government will continue to support all those affected by the crisis. We also co-fund aerospace research and development through the £3.9 billion Aerospace Technology Institute, as well as the £300 million Future Flight programme. In addition, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has supported 8 million people, various loan schemes have awarded billions of pounds of support, and we have a world-leading export credit body that is expecting to support £3.5 billion of aviation exports over the next 18 months. We continue to work closely with the UK’s aerospace sector to understand what more can be done.

Electricity Generation

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is taking steps to ensure (a) market transparency and (b) protection of consumer interest by requiring National Grid ESO to publish the assumed load factors used to rank bids in the new Optional Downward Flexibility Mechanism made necessary by the low demand resulting from the public health measures adopted to tackle covid-19.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government believes that transparency is essential for a stable, secure energy market in which industry and consumers can participate with confidence. The Optional Downward Flexibility Mechanism (ODFM) service has been established by National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) to be used in exceptional circumstances and under certain conditions. ODFM was critical during recent periods of exceptionally low demand as it created ‘space’ on the system, thereby allowing the ESO to balance the system without having to resort to implementing emergency disconnection of embedded generation. As lockdown restrictions relax and demand increases, there is likely to be less of a requirement to use this service. Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, has a statutory duty to protect the interests of GB’s energy consumers and is responsible for ensuring that the ESO procures services to balance electricity demand and supply (including ODFM) in an open, transparent, economic and efficient manner. The ESO is committed to transparency and provides a comprehensive suite of data relating to its activities via their data portal [https://data.nationalgrideso.com/ancillary-services/optional-downward-flexibility-management-odfm-market-information?from=0#resources]; this includes extensive information about the ODFM service. The ESO is continuing to publish further information about activities undertaken as a result of the pandemic. We have asked them to publish further information in relation to load factors for ODFM as part of this.

Employment: Industrial Health and Safety

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many people categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak have continued working in their place of work during the outbreak; and what steps he is taking to support that group of people in the workplace.

Paul Scully: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Overseas Aid

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he last met with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance spending.

Nadhim Zahawi: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on a number of issues. As the largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending department after the Department for International Development (DfID), the Department works very closely with DfID on delivery of its ODA programmes. The Secretary of State recently met with Lord Goldsmith to discuss linkages between his Department, DfID, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding ODA spending on climate policy.

Energy: Meters

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to tackle defects in smart meters; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Energy suppliers are required by their licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to install and maintain a fully functioning smart metering system for their customers. When smart meters are installed, if a fault is identified then the customer should be made aware of the problem, what the resolution is likely to be, who will be resolving the fault, and the approximate timescales of the resolution. Ofgem, as the energy market regulator, is responsible for overseeing energy supplier conduct and can take enforcement action if energy suppliers do not meet their rollout obligations.

Businesses: Government Assistance

Jane Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support he has made available for businesses facing closure as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Scully: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carers: Government Assistance

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that working unpaid carers in (a) City of Durham and (b) England are supported to remain in work.

Paul Scully: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Industrial Health and Safety: Coronavirus

Stephen Crabb: What steps his Department is taking to ensure that workplaces are safe during the covid-19 outbreak.

Amanda Solloway: We have published comprehensive guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance has been developed with input from firms, unions, industry bodies and the devolved administrations, and in consultation with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.

Offshore Industry: Coronavirus

Andrew Bowie: What steps his Department is taking to support the oil and gas sector.

Kwasi Kwarteng: I have been in almost daily contact with the sector to support them through this crisis. Last week I attended the Oil and Gas Authority’s Maximising Economic Recovery Forum with industry leaders to discuss the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the sector’s recovery. We have also committed to delivering an oil and gas Sector Deal during this Parliament.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Sir Edward Davey: What support his Department is providing to self-employed people to begin trading again after the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Nadhim Zahawi: I thank the Right Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue. We have introduced an unprecedented package of support for the self-employed to get through this incredibly challenging period. And our Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been a success. As of 14 June, a total of 2.6 million claims have been made, worth £7.6 billion.

Airlines: Coronavirus

Mr Virendra Sharma: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on retaining jobs in the airline industry.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government continues to work closely with the airline industry. We have put unprecedented levels of support in place to help industry, including airlines, who have drawn down £1.8billion of loan support through the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) to help them continue activities. In addition, my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, is leading an International Aviation Task Force, to help put measures in place to kickstart the sector – helping to restore jobs, trade, and opportunities for travel.

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Carolyn Harris: If he will publish guidance on when hair, beauty, spa and wellness businesses can reopen in (a) salon and (b) non-salon settings during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: As set out in Government’s roadmap, it is our ambition to reopen such businesses from 4 July at the earliest, subject to the scientific advice at the time. Our guidance will be published before any reopening in order to allow businesses time to adequately prepare.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people have applied for an emergency repatriation loan since the start of the covid-19 pandemic; and how many of those applications have been (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Nigel Adams: The welfare of British nationals remains our top priority, and we remain committed to helping British travellers around the globe return home. British nationals who are overseas and wish to return to the UK, but cannot afford travel costs and have no other options for getting funds to return home, may apply for an emergency loan from the government as a last resort. We estimate the FCO has issued over 2000 loans on behalf of the FCO since 7 April. We are unable to provide an accurate number of people who have had their applications for emergency repatriation loans rejected as we do not have full details on our systems to be able to provide comprehensive figures.

Pakistani National Commission for Minorities

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Pakistani counterpart on the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities Rights in that country.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the National Commission for Minorities Rights in Pakistan is gender representative.

Nigel Adams: On 5 June, The Minister for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, wrote to Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, about the National Commission on Minorities in Pakistan. He welcomed its establishment and highlighted the importance of ensuring the new Commission is established in line with the UN Paris Principles as it begins its important work, specifically focusing on its independence, funding and membership. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner CMG, raised these issues about the National Commission on Minorities with Dr Mazari in a meeting on 8 June. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, as laid down in the constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards. It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity or belief.

Eritrea: Coronavirus

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Eritrean counterpart on releasing prisoners of conscience in that country in response to the risk of the spread of covid-19 in overcrowded prisons.

James Duddridge: Eritrea seems so far to have had a relatively low incidence of Covid-19, with only 41 reported cases and no reported deaths. In April our Ambassador in Asmara raised the prospect of releasing prisoners given their increasing risk of infection from Covid-19 with the President's chief political adviser, Yemane Gebreab.The UK Government, along with partners in the international community, have taken every opportunity to voice our concern about arbitrary arrests and detentions in Eritrea, and have called for the release of those arrested and detained in this way. We have done so directly with the Government of Eritrea and publicly - through our annual reporting on human rights and at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. On 26 February, the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered a statement during the 43rd Session of the HRC expressing concern at continuing human rights abuses. Although welcoming Eritrean acceptance of Universal Periodic Review recommendations and offering UK assistance in support of their implementation, she said that the UK would continue to press for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals.

Pakistan: Ahmadiyya

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on the release of the Ahmadi prisoners of conscience (a) Ghulam Ahmad, (b) Ihsan Ahmad and (c) Mubashir Ahmad detained in that country.

Nigel Adams: We are aware of the cases of Ghulam Ahmad, Ihsan Ahmad and Mubashir Ahmad. We remain deeply concerned by reports of discrimination and violence against Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. We remain concerned about the situation for prisoners in detention under trial in Pakistan, particularly for blasphemy cases.We regularly raise at a senior level the issue of the blasphemy laws with the authorities in Pakistan. In Pakistan and elsewhere these laws have targeted Muslims and non-Muslims. The UK Government condemns any instance where the content or application of blasphemy legislation encourages or justifies violence or discrimination, or causes a violation of a person's Human Rights. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised the UK's concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of the Ahmadiyya community with the Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Nafees Zakaria, on 12 and 26 May. Most recently, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan by letter with Dr Mazari on 5 June. In addition, The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner CMG, met with Dr Mazari and raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief with on 8 June.

Hong Kong: Human Rights

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on the human rights situation in Hong Kong and the potential effect of that situation on future trade with China.

Nigel Adams: On 8 June, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Chinese State Councillor and Minister for Foreign affairs, Wang Yi. He set out the UK's deep concern at China's proposal to impose national security law in Hong Kong, which is in conflict with the high degree of autonomy, and rights and freedoms, protected under international law by the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also discussed how the UK and China could work together on areas of mutual interest, including on climate change and trade.

Cameroon: Politics and Government

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help resolve the political situation in Cameroon.

James Duddridge: The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon. As the UK highlighted at a United Nations Security Council briefing on Central Africa, on 12 June, high levels of violence are having tragic consequences on civilians. On 19 May I spoke to the Prime Minister of Cameroon and discussed the need for a peaceful solution to the conflict.The British High Commissioner to Cameroon regularly engages in discussions with the Government of Cameroon, on a range of issues, including the situation in the North-West and South-West regions. The UK welcomes the UN Secretary-General's call on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians in Cameroon. We continue to call for restraint, an end to the violence and unhindered humanitarian access to the affected population.Further, inclusive dialogue remains vital to ensure a just, peaceful and durable resolution to the crisis, which meets the reasonable demands of the moderate majority. The UK has shared experiences on conflict resolution with the Government of Cameroon and we will continue to work with international partners to support the restoration of peace in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.

China: Uighurs

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UN Security Council’s support for people held in camps in Xinjiang, China.

Nigel Adams: The UK and likeminded countries have raised the treatment of Uyghurs in detention centres at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the main intergovernmental forum on human rights, and in the UN Third Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with human rights and humanitarian affairs.On 10 March at the 43rd session of the HRC, the UK raised concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in Xinjiang during our 'Item 4' statement. On 29 October at UN Third Committee, the UK read out a joint statement signed by 22 other states drawing attention to the human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and calling on China to uphold its international obligations and commitments to respect human rights.

Leah Sharibu

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK support to aid the release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl who remains kidnapped by Boko Haram.

James Duddridge: In response to the attack on Leah's school in Dapchi, the then Foreign Secretary spoke to the Nigerian Vice President to offer UK assistance in the recovery of the missing girls. The UK remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Government secure the release of Leah Sharibu and all others abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief met Leah's mother in February and reaffirmed UK support to Nigerian Government efforts to tackle terrorism. The Nigerian Government has provided assurances that they are doing all they can to secure the release of Leah and others kidnapped. President Buhari issued a statement in February, reiterating his Government's commitment to bring Leah home safely.The Prime Minister discussed UK support for fighting terrorism in Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK Africa Investment Summit in January. The UK is providing a comprehensive package of security, humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to Nigeria to help tackle the threat from these terrorist groups. This includes: capacity building support for the Nigerian armed forces, with an emphasis on adherence to internationally recognised Rules of Engagement, International Human Rights and Humanitarian law; counter-IED and bomb scene management training; and support to the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional taskforce which seeks to coordinate military efforts in the region.

Jerusalem: Evictions

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly: The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions by an occupying power are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process. We instead urge Israel to provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives from travel insurance providers to ensure that travel insurance continues to be available to people whose trips have been extended as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams: We are in regular contact with the insurance industry on the impact of COVID-19. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) announced on 2 April that UK-based insurers will look to extend travel insurance policies for up to a minimum of 60 days to ensure British travellers abroad will be covered for emergency medical treatment they might need, provided that the customer is making every effort to return home. Anyone affected should speak to their insurance company to discuss the options available to them.

Sri Lanka: Water

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure that (a) independent investigations into water quality in northern Sri Lanka take place and (b) all Sri Lankan citizens have access to clean drinking water.

Nigel Adams: We are aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality and the unique challenges faced by communities in northern Sri Lanka. Staff at the British High Commission in Colombo have raised the issue of water quality during regular visits to the North. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including the national water supply and drainage board, have conducted tests and compensation was offered to those affected by water pollution caused by the Chunnakam Power plant. We will continue to engage with local government in the North to ensure these concerns around water management and quality are understood, and that measures are taken to ensure clean water.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of UK seafarers stranded in foreign ports as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK seafarers are repatriated from foreign ports during the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams: We recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew. The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families. Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers' welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.

Shipping: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his international counterparts on co-ordination to relieve seafarers from ships.

Nigel Adams: We recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew. The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families. Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers' welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.

Bahrain: Overseas Aid

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2020 to Question 5454 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, how many projects and programme activities have been funded by the Integrated Activity Fund solely for Bahrain during (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20; which Departments applied for the funding to implement those projects and programme activities; and how much money was spent from the Integrated Activity Fund on those projects and programme activities.

James Cleverly: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



Overall spend from the Integrated Activity Fund (IAF) in 2018/19 financial year was £17 million, and £12 million in 2019/20. The IAF funded activity in all six Gulf Cooperation Council states: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Many of the projects and programme activities were delivered regionally, and final expenditure is subject to Departmental audits.

Bahrain: Overseas Aid

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2020 to Question 14741 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, and with reference to the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims’s assessment of Bahrain’s Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) investigation into torture allegations filed by Husain Moosa, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Integrated Activity Fund in meeting its objectives in relation to training programmes for the SIU.

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2020 to Question 14741 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid and with reference to the findings of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims’s assessment of Bahrain’s Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) investigation into torture allegations filed by Husain Moosa which found that investigation to be inadequate and not compliant with international standards, if he will make an assessment of the extent to which the SIU's training programmes in receipt of Integrated Activity Fund (IAF) funding are on track to deliver the outcomes expected of IAF funded programmes.

James Cleverly: The British Government takes note of a number of sources of information on Bahrain, including publications and statements from Non-Governmental Organisations, when assessing performance and progress. On the question of our assessment of Integrated Activity Fund activity with the Special Investigations Unit, I refer the Honourable Member to my response of 11 February to question 11506.

Bahrain: Overseas Aid

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2020 to Question 5454 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, how many project or programme activities have been funded by the Integrated Activity Fund solely for Bahrain during the financial years (a) 2018- 19 and (b) 2019-20; which Government departments applied for that funding to implement those project or programme activities; and how much money from the public purse was allocated from the Integrated Activity Fund to those project or programme activities.

James Cleverly: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



I refer the Honourable Member to my response of 16 June 2020 to question 57298.

Chile: Human Rights

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to recent UN reports of human rights violations by Chilean state agents, if he will make an assessment of the correlation between UK training of Chilean police and trends in the level of human rights violations by state agents in that country.

Wendy Morton: The UK Government shares the concerns of the UN about events that have occurred in Chile. Our Ambassador in Chile has talked with representatives of the Chilean Government to express our concerns about the violence witnessed during protests and about reports of human rights abuses by state agents. We welcome the Chilean Government's acceptance of the report and its recommendations and the Chilean Government's assurances, in public and to our Ambassador, that allegations of human rights abuses will be investigated fully and that, if appropriate, perpetrators will be prosecuted. In this context, the UK is considering what assistance it might be able to offer to help the Chilean Police improve compliance with international human rights standards following recommendations by the UN and others.The British Government undertakes extensive risk assessments when designing projects in Chile and other countries, including of any potential negative impact on human rights. This includes the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) process, which is intended give assurance that UK funded OSJA work meets our human rights obligations and accords with our values. We regularly monitor the effects of our programme work in consultation with colleagues working in Chile, making a thorough assessment of the impact of all of our projects. Our Embassy in Santiago remains in contact with the Chilean authorities and will continue to monitor the situation.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Overseas Aid

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance spending.

James Cleverly: The Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State meets with his Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for International Development, on a regular basis.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office: Carers

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff in his Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Mr Robin Walker: Although the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not hold numbers of staff who have caring responsibilities, the department is committed to supporting these members of staff. Working with staff we have developed a Carers Charter, which sets out the policies and support available and the department has dedicated advocates for Carers, through our Diversity and Inclusion network. All staff members with caring responsibilities are encouraged to complete an NIO Carer’s Passport. To strengthen our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities, the NIO is a member of Employers for Carers Northern Ireland. This allows our staff access to a range of dedicated resources as well as practical information and advice.

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Government consultation, A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland, published 4 November 2019, what estimate he has made of the number of submissions from (a) disability organisations and (b) people who identified as disabled.

Mr Robin Walker: The Northern Ireland Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Government consultation entitled, A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland, published 4 November 2019, what estimate he has made of the the number of submissions from (a) disability organisations based in Northern Ireland and (b) individuals residing in Northern Ireland who identified as disabled.

Mr Robin Walker: The Northern Ireland Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many meetings the Northern Ireland Office had with disability charities and organisations on the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No 2) Regulations 2020 which allow abortion on the basis of disability up until birth.

Mr Robin Walker: The Northern Ireland Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Bombardier: Northern Ireland

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many meetings he has had with (a) officials and (b) trade union representatives at Bombardier, Northern Ireland in 2020; and on what dates those meetings took place.

Mr Robin Walker: The Northern Ireland Office closely follows developments at Bombardier, as a key player and employer in the local economy. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland spoke with the Chief Operating Officer at Bombardier, Michael Ryan, on Friday 12 June 2020 to discuss the impact of the restructuring that was announced at the company last week. Prior to this, the Secretary of State spoke with Bombardier’s Director, Nick Laird on 16 April 2020 to discuss future projects for the aerospace sector. NIO officials and those at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have engaged with the company on a number of occasions. Whilst we have not engaged with the trade union representatives at Bombardier, I am aware that there has been engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive, who are responsible for business support in Northern Ireland. The UK Government wants to see Northern Ireland not only recover but also prosper. In addition to the unprecedented package of measures to protect businesses and employees through this period of disruption, we must ensure that we attract inward investment, protect the local skilled manufacturing workforce and work with the Executive to ensure our economic plans for Northern Ireland align.

Bombardier: Northern Ireland

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations he has made to Bombardier on retaining jobs at the Belfast site.

Mr Robin Walker: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland spoke with the Chief Operating Officer at Bombardier last week, where he discussed the current position of the company and the particular impact of COVID-19 on the aerospace sector, which, in this case, has resulted in the company making a commercial decision to restructure their workforce. I was saddened to hear of the job losses which have been announced. I understand the company will continue to work with the trade unions to explore opportunities to mitigate the number of redundancies, including potential retraining and redeployment of members of the core workforce. The UK Government has set out a package of measures to protect businesses and employees through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19, including to the aerospace sector. This support, together with Government-backed finance, provides businesses with the best possible chance to weather the current crisis. We will continue to work with business, trade unions and the Northern Ireland Executive to get the economy back up and running, and laying the foundations for a stable and sustainable recovery for Northern Ireland.

Bombardier: Northern Ireland

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has held with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for Transport on support to retain jobs at the Bombardier, Northern Ireland site.

Mr Robin Walker: NIO Ministers regularly discuss with Cabinet colleagues the support that the UK Government can and is providing to the Northern Ireland economy, including with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport. In this case, support for business is devolved and we will continue to engage with Ministers in the NI Executive on how UKG can best support the Executive in our shared goal of seeing the Northern Ireland economy thrive. We will continue these discussions as we work to get things back up and running and laying the foundations for a stable and sustainable recovery for Northern Ireland, including for the aerospace sector.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Screening

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the proposed 100,000 tests per day for covid-19 will be (a) antigen and (b) antibody tests.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Government announced it had achieved its target to deliver 100,000 tests per day on 1 May 2020, with over 122,000 tests delivered on 30 April 2020.All tests currently being used to diagnose COVID-19 are Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab tests using swabs taken from the nose and throat. These confirm when people currently have COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Screening

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many at home covid-19 antigen tests have (a) been sent to homes and (b) delivered results since 31 January 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries: We introduced large-scale home testing in April, making testing accessible many more eligible individuals. As of 2 May, 115,589 Home Tests have been ordered and we are working to increase capacity even further.

Coronavirus: Screening

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many tests for NHS workers have been booked through the new testing portal since that portal opened.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 06 May 2020



National Health Service workers have been able to access testing since 27 March and via the portal since its launch on 23 April, as well as access testing provided by the NHS. We are unable to provide a sector-by-sector breakdown of essential worker registrations via the portal at the present time.

Coronavirus: Screening

James Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the 40,369 Pillar 2 covid-19 tests reported under delivery routes for 30 April 2020 were (a) ordered and (b) dispatched on (i) 26 April, (ii) 27 April, (iii) 28 April, (iv) 29 April and (v) 30 April 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 May 2020



Between 26 – 30 April, over 73,000 home kits were ordered and over 64,000 were dispatched. The difference between the figures is due to the time at which an individual orders a home test, which subsequently impacts the time of its dispatch.

Coronavirus: Screening

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in addition to the covid-19 tests performed at test centres, how many covid-19 tests performed at home were sent to testing centres each day from 27 April 2020 to 5 May 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 May 2020



We introduced large-scale home testing at the end of April to make testing more accessible to individuals. Between 27 April – 5 May over 95,000 home tests were dispatched to users. In that same time period, nearly 21,000 test samples were processed by our labs. The difference in these numbers is due to the number of days between test dispatch, through to the sample being taken and then being collected by courier to be sent to the lab. This means that the 21,000 test samples processed will not correlate to tests dispatched on these dates.

Coronavirus: Screening

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure covid-19 tests are not double counted when returned.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 May 2020



Each test kit is assigned a unique code which is registered to the test subject, thereby linking the test sample to the individual. This ensures that any test that is damaged or needs to be voided can be removed from the daily reporting figures.

Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Independent Review

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April to Question 37528 on Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Independent Review and the Answer of 4 May 2020 to Question 41400 on Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Independent Review, when she plans to place in the Library the agreed changes to the terms of reference for the Liverpool Community Health investigation.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



The Terms of Reference for the investigation are being finalised. We expect these Terms of Reference to be published shortly.

Coronavirus: Rehabilitation

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the long-term (a) mental and (b) physical health outcomes of patients recovering from covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



It is very normal during these uncertain and unusual times to be experiencing distress or anxiety, or to be feeling low. People can go to the Every Mind Matters website and GOV.UK for advice and practical steps that can be taken to manage mental health during this pandemic. We know that more serious mental illness can take time to manifest, and work is underway to plan for a possible increase in demand for people needing mental health support due to COVID-19.As the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the physical heath of individuals evolves, NHS England will continue to assess how current services can be adapted or expanded to support the needs of those people who require them.

Coronavirus: Hospitals

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been admitted to each of the temporary Nightingale hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 04 June 2020



The number of patients admitted to each of the Nightingale Hospitals is not available in the format requested. Admission date is published at trust level but not for individual hospitals.NHS England and NHS Improvement collect and publish accident and emergency attendances and emergency admissions data by trust at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2020-21/

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how work on the NHS covid-19 contact tracing app was divided between (a) NHSX and (b) VMWare Pivotal Labs; and what criteria for success were defined in the contract for that project.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The National Health Service COVID-19 app is being developed by a multidisciplinary, multi-organisational team led by NHSX but also including representatives from across Government. VMWare, formerly Pivotal, was contracted by NHSX to provide a minimum viable product, to test and learn, and then to continue to productise the app. The contract asked it to:- Work to an agile methodology to create a proximity tracing solution; - Design, build and implement a scalable and robust platform to support the app for the duration of the contract; - Provide live service support for the app and platform for national launch; and - Share knowledge with NHSX and complete a service transition of the app and platform over to NHSX or NHSX’s chosen partner.

South Tyneside Hospital: Standards

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to review the Path to Excellence in respect of South Tyneside Hospital as announced in December 2019.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 04 June 2020



There are currently no plans for the Secretary of State to review the Path to Excellence in respect of South Tyneside Hospital.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to Answer of 18 May to Question 43901 and the Answer of 27 May to Question 48424, when NHSX tracking app data uploaded to a centralised server will be destroyed.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 04 June 2020



The data will only be retained and processed for as long as it is required for the purposes of the response to COVID-19.

Eating Disorders

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to reduce the time period between people displaying symptoms of eating disorders and receiving treatment.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 04 June 2020



The Government is committed to ensuring everyone with an eating disorder has access to timely treatment based on clinical need. We set up the first waiting times to improve access to eating disorders services for children and young people - so that by 2020/21 95% of children with an eating disorder will receive treatment within one week for urgent cases and within four weeks for routine cases and latest figures indicate that the National Health Service is on track to meet that standard.For adults, the NHS Long Term Plan commits to “test four-week waiting times for adult and older adult community mental health teams, with selected local areas”. Last autumn, we announced that 12 areas in England would receive over £70 million of transformation funding in 2019/20 and 2020/21 to test new integrated models of primary and community mental health care for adults. Eight of these sites plan to implement innovative service models that will improve access and quality for adults and older adults with eating disorders in line with new national guidance on adult eating disorder care

Mental Health Act 1983: Reform

James Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish a White Paper on reforming the Mental Health Act 1983.

Ms Nadine Dorries: We have committed to publishing a White Paper which will set out the Government’s response to Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 and pave the way for reform of the Act.We will publish our White Paper as soon as it is possible to do so. We will consult publicly on our proposals and will bring forward a Bill to amend the Act when parliamentary time allows.

Cancer: Research

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the level of resources allocated for research into cancers is protected during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: As with other Government funders of health research, the Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) does not allocate funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area, such as cancer, is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and scale of successful funding applications.We have now entered a new phase of the pandemic, where the number of new cases of COVID-19 is declining, and we have a significant portfolio of nationally prioritised urgent public health studies which are actively recruiting participants. The time is right to work towards the restoration of a diverse and active portfolio of research funded and/or supported by the NIHR - including both non-COVID-19 research and important COVID-19 research which does not meet our ‘Urgency’ criteria. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/prioritising-funding-and-support-for-covid-19-research-across-the-uk/24820To help initiate this process, the NIHR has developed a ‘Framework for Restart’ which provides a structure to guide the restarting of a full range of NIHR research, including cancer research, while maintaining local decision-making and flexibility. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/restart-framework/24886

Medical Treatments and Screening: Coronavirus

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government has taken to consider using option-based guarantees to increase the production of (a) diagnostic tests, (b) pharmaceutical treatments and (c) vaccines in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: The Government is engaging with industry and are considering all commercial options. As part of the negotiations the Government will continue to ensure that the best value for money is achieved for the taxpayer, whilst delivering the goods and services needed in the fight against COVID-19 at speed.

Palantir: Contracts

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 48387, for what reason the contract between NHS England and Palantir relating to the NHS data store has not yet been published.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 08 June 2020



The contract was released on 5 June 2020 and will be formally published in due course.

Coronavirus: Mental Health

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the long term mental health effects of the covid-19 outbreak; and what steps the Government is taking to prepare to tackle those effects.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 08 June 2020



It is very normal during these uncertain and unusual times to be experiencing distress or anxiety, or to be feeling low. People can go to the Every Mind Matters website and GOV.UK for advice and practical steps to manage their mental health during this pandemic. We know that more serious mental illness stemming from experience of trauma can take time to manifest, and work is underway to plan for a possible increase in demand for people needing mental health support due to COVID-19.We are working with the National Health Service and Public Health England, service users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.

Blood: Donors

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure people working in blood donation centres can be tested for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: NHS Blood and Transplant staff who have symptoms of COVID-19, and their symptomatic household members, have been eligible for testing since 17 April. NHS Blood and Transplant regularly promotes the testing service to its staff. NHS Blood and Transplant staff who are absent, reporting COVID-19- like symptoms, are supported in accessing testing the Government’s online self-referral portal for essential workers, which allows them to register for a home test kit or book a drive-through test at a regional test site.The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a test has access to one. All health and care staff have had access to a test since 17 April.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals similar to those proposed by the Australian Government through its Exposure Draft Privacy Amendment (Public Health Contact Information Bill) to safeguard the privacy of users of the NHS covid-19 contact tracing app.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The National Health Service COVID-19 app’s function and purpose have been developed in accordance with strong existing legislation. The Secretary of State wrote to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, on 21 May, stating that he does not consider that new legislation is necessary for contact tracing.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people by (a) age, (b) disability, (c) race and (d) sex are being interviewed or surveyed on the Isle of Wight to understand their experience of using the NHS covid-19 contract tracing app; whether his Department has made an assessment of whether those people being so interviewed or surveyed are representative of the diversity of the UK; if he will place a copy of the methodology for those interviews or surveys in the Library; and whether that methodology was reviewed by the NHS COVID-19 App Data Ethics Advisory Board.

Ms Nadine Dorries: In order to support the evaluation of the Isle of Wight rollout of the Test and Trace programme, the Department commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to conduct a survey of Isle of Wight residents. The objective was to deliver a representative survey exploring experiences of using the National Health Service COVID-19 app, virology testing and public health contact tracing. The details and results of this survey will be published on the GOV.UK website in mid-June together with a report on the Isle of Wight phase evaluation.This push-to-web survey of Isle of Wight residents aged 16+ included NatCen’s standard demographics questions including age, sex and ethnicity but not disability. In addition, many rounds of user research and testing have been conducted throughout the development of the app, with people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, socio-economic status, and digital skills, to ensure it meets the needs of different groups.We will always comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, which considers the impact of a policy or decision on groups with protected characteristics, and we have carried out an Equality and Health Impact Assessment.

Hospitals: Repairs and Maintenance

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has given new guidance to hospitals on the design and layout of rebuilding and refurbishment projects as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published guidance for the National Health Service in relation to their estate and related support services.The guidance can be reached at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/secondary-care/estates-facilities

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to potential increases in demand for mental health services as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government funding for those services.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Government and the National Health Service recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to lead to the onset of new mental health difficulties as well as exacerbating existing problems, creating additional demand on services. Mental health services will therefore need to adapt to ensure appropriate and timely service levels to meet people’s needs.We are working with the NHS and Public Health England, service users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.

Organ Transplants: Coronavirus

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) kidney, (b) liver, (c) heart, (d) lung and (e) multiple organ transplants which have been unable to take place during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Blood and Transplant have been working closely together to ensure that organ donation and transplant activity could safely continue during the COVID-19 pandemic for very urgent life-saving transplants. NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Blood and Transplant will continue to work hard to increase donation and transplantation and support families, clinicians and the transplant centres to facilitate organ donation and transplants where possible.The estimated number of transplants that did not go ahead in the first five months of 2020 are shown in the following table: KidneyLiverHeartLungMulti-organDeceased donation33611910377Living donation2193Not applicableSource: NHS Blood and TransplantNote: It is important to note that many factors influence the number of transplants performed in any given month so these figures need to be treated with caution.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government retains ownership of intellectual property related to the development and operation of the contact tracing app piloted in the Isle of Wight.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 09 June 2020



The intellectual property associated with the National Health Service COVID-19 app is retained by the Department. In order to promote transparency, the source code for the app is published under version 3.0 of the Open Government License. This licence allows NHSX to make the code Open Source whilst retaining its intellectual property rights related to the development of the app.

Patents: Data Protection

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) NHS England and (b) NHSX is liaising with the the Intellectual Property Office on the publication of patent applications resulting from access to the covid-19 datastore under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.

Ms Nadine Dorries: NHS England and NHSX are not currently liaising with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on the publication of patent applications resulting from access to the NHS COVID-19 Data Store under the Re-use of Public Sector Information (RUPSI) Regulations 2015. The IPO is responsible under United Kingdom law for granting UK patents. Patent applications are published by the IPO in the course of the application process as set out in the Patents Act 1977.NHS England and NHSX are keen to encourage healthcare innovations and would certainly discuss with the IPO on how that could be appropriately encouraged. The NHS COVID-19 Data Store has its own controlled procedure for access where specific criteria related to COVID-19 purposes must be met. There is no uncontrolled access to data in the NHS COVID-19 Data Store. NHS England and NHSX would consider and respond to any request they may receive under the RUPSI Regulations, as those Regulations require.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2020 to Question 48415 on NHS: Computer Software, what the criteria are under which the NHS will decide to delete that data.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 09 June 2020



Any data shared with the National Health Service as part of the public health emergency and stored centrally, may be retained during the emergency and used for research in the public interest, for providing care, and for public health management while complying with all the necessary legislation.In accordance with the law, personal data will not be kept for longer than is necessary. The data will be retained for the duration of the public health emergency. If any of the data is required for public health reasons after the pandemic has ended, a revised Data Protection Impact Assessment will be undertaken. We will ensure that the necessity to retain the data will be routinely reviewed (at least every six months).

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether plans to implement the NHS Long Term Plan in respect of mental health will be affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 10 June 2020



There is broad consensus that there will be an increase in demand for mental health services as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Modelling is underway to understand the implications of this in more detail, involving the Department, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and sector experts. This will inform our approach to delivery and transformation of mental health services and ensure an agile, responsive approach focusing on key priorities for the population.In this context, we remain committed to achieving our NHS Long Term Plan ambitions for service transformation and expansion, backed by investment of at least £2.3 billion of extra funding for mental health by 2023-24.

Hospitals: Coronavirus

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were discharged from mental health hospitals as part of the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak between March and April 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The total number of discharges from mental health hospitals in England during the period requested is shown in the following table. COVID-19 is not one of the options available to record the reason for a patient being discharged. EnglandMarch 2020April 20202Discharges from mental health hospitals in the reporting period111,829Not yet available Source: Mental Health Services Data Set, NHS DigitalNotes:1A person may have had been discharged more than once within any given period.2 Data for April 2020 are still being collected and analysed.

Mental Health Services

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a safe return to face to face mental health appointments for people with severe mental illness.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a safe return to face-to-face mental health appointments for people with severe mental illness during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 10 June 2020



Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Health Service has been clear on the importance of maintaining face to face care for those patients who need it, and of patient choice in determining suitability for digital appointments. When delivering face to face appointments, mental health services are expected to follow the latest guidance on the use of personal protective equipment in healthcare settings to support infection prevention and control. Services will be further enabled by the roll out of the NHS Test and Trace service to reduce transmission risk and deliver face to face services in as safe a way as possible.

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many inpatients in mental health hospitals have been diagnosed with covid-19 since March 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The information requested cannot be provided.The Hospital Episode Statistics data for March 2020 includes a small number of finished consultant episodes where there has been a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 in inpatients in mental health hospitals. This number falls below the level that would be reported and the data are thereby suppressed under the disclosure controls applied to this data.Data for April 2020 are not yet available

Mental Health Services: Schools

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on school-based support for children with mental health needs when schools reopen to all pupils.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Such discussions have not taken place between the Secretaries of State. However, I have met several times recently with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families (Vicky Ford MP) to discuss how health and education can work together to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing as schools reopen.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made in implementing the actions in chapters 3 and 4 of the Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper, published in December 2017.

Ms Nadine Dorries: We have made good progress and we remain committed to carrying out the Green Paper’s core proposals. In 2018 we announced the first 25 trailblazer sites, delivering 59 mental health support teams (MHSTs), the first of which started to become operational in early 2020. Twelve of the first 25 sites are also testing four-week waiting times. In July 2019, NHS England confirmed a further 57 areas, developing 123 new MHSTs.The Department for Education has committed to provide training for a senior mental health lead in all state-funded schools and colleges in England by 2025. Eighty-two per cent of schools and 77 per cent of post-16 institutions have someone leading on mental health.The Department for Education has also allocated £6 million to support schools to implement the new Relationship, Sex and Health Education curriculum; and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care hosted three social media summits in 2019 to discuss tackling online harmful content.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) risks and (b) shortcomings in relation to the covid-19 tracing app being trialled on the Isle of Wight.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



The purpose of the Isle of Wight phase is to understand the effectiveness of the Test and Trace programme ahead of the full roll-out to the rest of the United Kingdom and to improve the user experience of the National Health Service COVID-19 app.We have worked quickly to build the NHS COVID-19 app because that is what the situation demands. But we have not let that urgency compromise our commitment to transparency, ethics and the law. We are also taking technical assurance very seriously, with an independent ethics advisory board ensuring that the NHS COVID-19 app we deliver will be stable, resilient, secure, performant, highly usable and above all effective in the fight against COVID-19.

Eating Disorders: Children and Young People

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the provision of support services for children and young people with eating disorders.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



The Government is committed to ensuring everyone with an eating disorder has access to timely treatment based on clinical need. We set up the first waiting times to improve access to eating disorders services for children and young people - so that by 2020/21 95% of children with an eating disorder will receive treatment within one week for urgent cases and within four weeks for routine cases. We are on track to meet that standard.The Government is investing £150 million to improve services for children and young people with mental health problems, with a particular emphasis on eating disorders. We are making good on this promise, and as a result 70 dedicated new or extended community services are now either open or in development. These are designed to give young people with eating disorders and self-harm early access to services in their communities with properly trained teams, including extended access to talking therapies.

Eating Disorders: Rehabilitation

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to introduce residential services for sufferers of eating disorders who do not meet the minimum threshold for inpatient care.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



Inpatient treatment should be a last resort and the Government is currently improving care in the community. Decisions about inpatient care should be based on clinical need and should involve short and purposeful stays, close to home and linked with quality community services to improve patient outcomes.We announced in 2014 that we would invest £150 million to expand eating disorder community-based care for children and young people, and as a result 70 dedicated new or extended community services are now either open or in development. These are designed to give young people with eating disorders and self-harm early access to services in their communities with properly trained teams, including extended access to talking therapies.Last autumn, we announced that 12 areas in England would receive over £70 million of transformation funding in 2019/20 and 2020/21 to test new integrated models of primary and community mental health care for adults. Eight of these sites plan to implement innovative service models that will improve access and quality for adults and older adults with eating disorders in line with new national guidance on adult eating disorder care.

Mental Health Services: Young People

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to introduce specific mental health services for 18-25 year olds.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



The NHS Long Term Plan and ‘Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision: a Green Paper’ (2017) set out an ambitious transformation programme for children and young people’s mental health. This includes significant investment in extending current services models to create a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year olds across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector. We are introducing the first mental health waiting time standards for children and young people so that more people have timely access to care. This will ensure that by 2023/24, an additional 345,000 children and young people will be able to access support via National Health Service-funded mental health services and school or college-based Mental Health Support Teams and 24 hours a day, seven days a week mental health crisis care services will be available throughout the country

Health Services: Immigrants

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the announcement by the Prime Minister on 21 May 2020 on the exemption for NHS health and care workers from the Immigration Health Surcharge, whether that exemption will be (a) temporary or (b) permanent.

Edward Argar: Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office officials are working to implement the Prime Minister’s announcement of 21 May and further details will be published shortly.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health provider organisations in England have received NHS capital funding in (a) each year since 2009-10 and (b) 2020-21.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



Improving mental health is at the heart of this Government’s agenda and capital investment to modernise the mental health estate is a key part of the Government’s ambition to achieve greater parity between physical and mental health care.As is the case for all National Health Service providers, the majority of capital expenditure by NHS mental health providers is financed from their own income sources and not provided centrally by the Department, but this is supplemented by national programmes of capital investment. The Government has announced investments of over £400 million in improving mental health estate since July 2017, and as set out in the Health infrastructure Plan on 30 September 2019, the Government is committed to making further strategic investments to modernise mental health facilities, which will be confirmed when the Department receives a multiyear capital settlement at the next capital review.

Mental Health Services: Costs

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost to the public purse has been of employing mental health staff in (a) each year since 2009-10 and (b) 2020-21.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 11 June 2020



Mental health staff are employed in wide range of settings including mental health trusts, acute trusts, community health services and general practitioner practices and this information is not collected centrally at this level of detail.

Cancer: Mental Health Services

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to include data collection on cancer diagnosis within the NHS Mental Health Dashboard.

Ms Nadine Dorries: NHS England and NHS Improvement have no plans to include data on cancer diagnoses within the National Health Service Mental Health Dashboard.

Complementary Medicine: Finance

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what financial support is in place for non-clinical and therapeutic settings treating patients with (a) MS, (b) cancer and (c) strokes with (i) mental health interventions and (ii) pain relief.

Edward Argar: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning care and prevention services for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer and strokes. In doing so, CCGs need to ensure that the services they provide, including those in non-clinical and therapeutic settings are fit for purpose, reflect the needs of the local population and are based on the available evidence and take into account national guidelinesIn addition to CCG funding of NHS services, on 22 May, the Government announced £22 million of funding for health and social care charities, many of whom provide non-clinical and therapeutic support services to patients with these conditions. The Department is engaging with the relevant charities directly to ensure the money goes out to the charities as quickly as possible.

Palliative Care: Children

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2020 to Question 47169, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the resourcing of NHS England to enable it to publish timely standard operating procedures during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 10 June 2020



NHS England and NHS Improvement’s top current priority is responding to COVID-19, and this has been made clear in the Government’s 2020 to 2021 mandate, which was published on 25 March at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-mandate-2020-to-2021NHS England and NHS Improvement are continuing to progress the Government’s wider goals as much as possible within that context and will increasingly do so as COVID-19 is brought under control. In the meantime, they have published various COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures related to COVID-19, which are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus?s=standard+operating+procedures

Health Services: Immigrants

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his announcementon 21 May 2020 that the immigration health surcharge would be removed for NHS staff and care workers, when that surcharge will be removed; whether workers who become exempt from that surcharge will be refunded; and whether the removal of that surcharge for those workers will be permanent.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office officials are working to implement the Prime Minister’s announcement of 21 May and further details will be published shortly.

Mental Health: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effects on the (a) mental health and (b) social isolation of those who have been designated as clinically vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



We recognise the effect that social distancing and self-isolation may have on a person’s mental wellbeing, including those who are clinically vulnerable and self-isolating. We have published official guidance on mental health and wellbeing on GOV.UK and are promoting this through Every Mind Matters.We are working with the National Health Service and Public Health England, service users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.

Mental Health Services: Domestic Abuse

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to allocate additional funding for mental health support for victims of domestic abuse.

Ms Nadine Dorries: We provided a £5 million grant to Mind and the Mental Health Consortia to administer a Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund to mental health voluntary and community sector organisations across England to promote mental health and wellbeing services. This complements NHS services and support those struggling with their mental health, including vulnerable people such as victims of domestic abuse. We announced a further £4.2 million to support mental health charities as part of our United Kingdom-wide £750 million package of support for the voluntary sector announced in April. This package of support also includes £28 million to help survivors of domestic abuse and their children by providing more safe spaces, accommodation and access to support services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hospitals: Wales

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to create a further hospital in mid-Wales.

Edward Argar: As health is a devolved issue, the Welsh Government is responsible for determining any investment in new hospitals in Wales.For the National Health Service in England, the Government is committed to building 40 new hospitals as part of the Health Infrastructure Plan announced in September 2019, which includes a long-term programme of investment in new NHS hospitals.

Department of Health and Social Care: Carers

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many staff in his Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Edward Argar: As part of our commitment to achieving a workforce representative of the society we service and providing equality of opportunity, we monitor representation of all protected characteristics across the Department. We also provide the opportunity for staff to self-declare if they have caring responsibilities.Providing this information relies on employees voluntarily completing their diversity information on our electronic HR system and we continue to encourage staff to complete their self-declaration.The declaration rate for caring responsibilities within the Department is 52.1% (as at 31 March 2020) and therefore, to note that the information provided is based on how many staff self-declared they had caring responsibilities in each respective year.- 2016 – 703- 2017 – 458- 2018 – 410- 2019 – 420- 2020 – 388It should be noted that the data is as of 31 March of each year. It includes civil servants only (permanent, fixed-term appointment and loan in) but excludes secondee in and loan out employees. It excludes contingent labour (contractors, consultants and agency workers) as we do not record this information for them.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the Chief Scientific Officer to support the production of a CE-marked clear panel face mask.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

NHS Trusts: Debts

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the level debt of each NHS Trust after the NHS debt write-off announced by his Department on 9 April 2020.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the population that will need to download the covid-19 test and trace app in order for it to prove effective.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Mental Health

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect on the mental health of (a) informal carers and (b) people accessing social care of the decision by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman not to (i) take on and (ii) investigate new complaints during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health organisations he has met with (a) in 2020 and (b) since the start of the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health trusts he has met with (a) in 2020 and (b) since the start of the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many meetings he has had on the subject of mental health since the start of the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department of Health and Social Care: Written Questions

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to Questions 43048 and 43049 tabled by the hon. member for Central Ayrshire on 4 May 2020.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Non-departmental Public Bodies: Human Rights

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the merits of requiring (a) NHS England and (b) other non-departmental public bodies to publish discrete human rights policies.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) covid-19 tests that were sent to the US for analysis require re-processing and (b) individuals that took those tests require re-testing.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Alcoholic Drinks

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent a rise in alcohol use during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Alcoholic Drinks

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of alcohol use during the covid-19 lockdown.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Protective Clothing

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to assist dental practices to procure the personal protective equipment required to safely reopen after 8 June 2020.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Protective Clothing

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of personal protective equipment used in dental practices for the safety of (a) dentists and (b) patients.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Protective Clothing

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the cost of personal protective equipment on the ability of dental practices to open during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to assist dental practices in training staff to comply with covid-19 guidelines.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether travellers to the UK are obliged to quarantine if they have had a positive antibody test for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS GoodSAM Responder App, how many volunteers (a) applied, (b) were successful and (c) have been utilised since the app was launched.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Gosport War Memorial Hospital

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to seek justice for those patients who died prematurely at Gosport Hospital.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carers: Protective Clothing

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Government will give priority access to personal protective equipment to people providing unpaid care in (a) the City of Durham and (b) England.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carers: City of Durham

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to publish a second carers action plan for carers in the City of Durham.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carers

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to establish a scheme to identify unpaid carers in (a) the City of Durham and (b) England in order to provide them with access to help and support.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Diabetes: Coronavirus

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the evidence on the risks of covid-19 to people with diabetes.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Steroid Drugs

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the number of high dose steroids a severe asthma patient would be prescribed for including that category of condition in the shielded patient list during the covid-19 outbreak is in line with the recommendation made by the Royal College of Physicians in Why asthma still kills: the National Review of Asthma Deaths.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people with severe asthma are on the shielded patients list.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the access of severe asthma patients to (a) specialist care in severe asthma centres and (b) biologic therapies.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Medical Treatments

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients began biologic therapies for severe asthma in each month in 2020; and how many patients in total were prescribed biologic therapies for severe asthma in each of those months.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Detention Centres

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people held in immigration detention have been tested for covid-19; and in which detention centres those people were held when tested.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Development

Occupied Territories: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect of Israel’s blockade on Gaza’s capacity to respond to the covid-19 pandemic.

James Cleverly: The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains relatively low in Gaza and the West Bank, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an increase in COVID-19 cases is poor, including the low availability of PPE and ventilators. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment.The UK remains deeply concerned about the restrictions on movement and access that affect Gaza. The restrictions impact infrastructure development, the delivery of vital humanitarian services and limit the professional development of health and humanitarian workers.During this global crisis, cooperation is vital. The cooperation between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards tackling COVID-19, as well as the important part played by the United Nations, was a very welcomed response. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate-General in Jerusalem are in regular contact with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities respectively. We encourage UN agencies, the PA and the Israeli Government to work together to ensure that essential medical supplies and staff are able to access Gaza.DFID is providing £1.3 million (2018-21) to support the UN’s Access Coordination Unit (ACU), which works to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza for UN and NGO workers. The ACU has played an important role in facilitating movement of humanitarian personnel and goods during the COVID-19 crisis.

Eritrea: Coronavirus

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the (a) humanitarian situation and (b) food security in Eritrea as a result of that country's covid-19 response.

James Duddridge: We are deeply concerned about food insecurity and the worsening humanitarian situation in Eritrea. COVID-19 and the desert locust outbreak are compounding high humanitarian need already caused by residual effects of war and climate change induced disasters. Limited health infrastructure, limited diagnostic capacity, low levels of sanitation coverage and high pre-existing levels of malnutrition and morbidity raise the Eritrean population’s vulnerability. The locust outbreak is destroying crops, livelihoods and essential food supplies. The impact of COVID-19 on domestic market supply chains and household food and income sources could also be significant.Existing humanitarian and development programmes in Eritrea are being adapted to address current food security challenges. The UK has funded life-saving activity in Eritrea for several years, including providing £4 million to UNICEF in 2019-20 to help treat malnutrition in under-fives and provide access to safe hygiene and sanitation services. The UK has provided £7 million to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Emergency Appeal for the locust outbreak, which includes Eritrea. With UK’s support, the FAO is spraying pesticides on the ground and by air to prevent further damage to crops and livelihoods.

Yemen: Coronavirus

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government has taken to alleviate the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

James Cleverly: The UK is extremely concerned that the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen is further exacerbating what is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. We assess Yemen to be particularly vulnerable due to the country’s existing health vulnerabilities and depleted healthcare system, which is starting to collapse under the strain of COVID-19.The UK is helping to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 in Yemen through the £160 million funding pledge I announced at the UN’s Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June. We expect this funding to provide over 700,000 medical consultations, train 12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and provide a much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to continue providing existing health services.We are also closely engaging with the Yemeni authorities to press for unhindered access for COVID-19 related supplies and personnel to ensure an effective national response.

Overseas Aid

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what processes her Department has put in place allocate the £160 million aid package announced on 2 June 2020; and through which organisations that aid package will delivered.

James Cleverly: The UK’s £160 million pledge at the 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Pledging Conference was the third largest in the world and brings our total commitment to Yemen to £970 million since the conflict started in 2015.This funding will be delivered through partners including UN agencies, NGOs and the Yemeni Social Fund for Development, a national development institution that will be critical to Yemen’s future recovery.We have already disbursed 32% of our £160 million pledge and will continue to provide funding to our partners to ensure they are able to deliver assistance through the year.

Department for International Development: Carers

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff in her Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Nigel Adams: The below table shows how many DFID staff voluntarily declared they have caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.YearNo. of staff with  caring responsibilities201558201652201771201870201991DFID supports our carers through robust discretionary leave, which we have used effectively in the context of COVID-19. In addition to this, we have an active Carers Network that works to provide support for our staff, and we are also members of Employers for Carers.

Coronavirus: Research

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to apply public interest conditions to Government funding for the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility to help ensure that recipients of funding (a) use technology transfer and open licences, (b) charge at cost price and (c) publish information on (i) price calculations and (ii) research findings and approach.

Wendy Morton: Gavi and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) co-chair the COVAX partnership to accelerate the development of and access to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVAX Facility will be a set of financing mechanisms managed under the COVAX partnership to support vaccine development and access. The UK funds Gavi and CEPI to use their extensive experience and relationships with developers, industry, international organisations and governments to drive collaboration and negotiate effective agreements to accelerate development and access to COVID-19 vaccines.The UK has provided £48 million so far to the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for COVID-19 vaccines, part of the COVAX Facility. It builds on the success of the pneumococcal vaccine AMC. Gavi will negotiate fair pricing and supply volumes with companies for future COVID-19 vaccines for eligible countries.The UK has provided £250 million to CEPI to accelerate development of COVID-19 vaccines. CEPI’s core equitable access policy guides terms for the partnerships it enters with vaccine developers and manufacturers.

Department for International Development: Recruitment

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has paused any new recruitment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: DFID has not paused new recruitment during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Department for Education

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taken to ensure that private nurseries comply with the Government’s guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings.

Vicky Ford: The safety and wellbeing of children, early years practitioners and the public is paramount. On 28 May, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister confirmed that all five government tests are being met and therefore based on all the evidence, from 1 June, early years settings can welcome back all children. We have issued guidance for educational settings on implementing protective measures. This explains how settings should manage the risk of transmission as more children return.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings. While my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced in March the suspension of routine Ofsted inspections, the safeguarding responsibilities of settings have not changed and regulatory action including visits to settings triggered by safeguarding concerns continue.

Universities: Coronavirus

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate the Government has made of the number of universities that have charged (a) full or (b) partial tuition fees during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: Higher education providers are autonomous institutions and responsible for setting their own fees. Higher education providers will of course want to ensure that they can continue to deliver courses that are fit for purpose and that help students progress their qualifications. As of 11 June, no university had made a submission of changes in the level of chargeable fees for courses during the COVID-19 outbreak for the academic year 2019/20. It is possible that a higher education provider has submitted adjustments for an individual or sub-set of students on a course. However, these adjustments would have been processed on a student-by-student basis, and no information is recorded on the reason for a fee reduction being recorded.

Schools: Coronavirus

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will review (a) pay and (b) conditions for school staff who have had to work through Easter and half term as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) covers the pay and conditions for teachers in maintained schools in England, and requires that teachers must be available to teach for 190 days each year. There are no plans to review this.During the COVID-19 outbreak, we know that many schools have implemented a rota system so that any staff who are asked to work during a holiday period will have time off during normal term time. Teachers and other school staff will continue to be paid during this period as normal, and we expect schools to continue to fulfill their contractual duties to their staff.Responsibility for the pay and conditions of support staff lies at a local level with headteachers and school employers; they are best placed to use their professional judgement to set terms and conditions to suit local circumstances.Non-maintained schools, including academies and free schools, are responsible for determining the pay and conditions of their staff themselves; such schools are not obliged to follow the statutory arrangements set out in the STPCD, although they may still choose to do so if they wish.

Schools: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support his Department plans to make available to schools to enable them to temporarily hire other premises to allow for more social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: We have published guidance on the additional funding we are providing to schools to cover unavoidable costs incurred due to the COVID-19 outbreak that cannot be met from their existing resources. The fund is targeted towards the costs we have identified as the biggest barrier to schools operating as they need to at this challenging time.The cost categories covered by the fund are clearly set out in the guidance below - increased premises related costs of opening over school holidays; support for free school meals for eligible children who are not in school, where schools are not using the national voucher scheme; and additional cleaning costs relating to cases or suspected cases of coronavirus, above the cost of existing cleaning arrangements.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020Each school's circumstances will be slightly different. Any schools that cannot achieve the small group sizes set out in the protective measures guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings) should discuss options with their local authority or academy trust. If necessary, schools have the flexibility to focus first on continuing to provide places for priority groups and then, to support children’s early education, settings should prioritise groups of children as follows:early years settings - 3 and 4 year olds followed by younger age groups;infant schools - nursery (where applicable) and Reception;primary schools - nursery (where applicable), Reception and year 1.

Educational Visits: Coraonvirus

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue guidance to (a) schools, (b) parents, and (c) insurance companies prohibiting school residential trips until after the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: The Department currently advises against any overseas, domestic or residential visits for children under 18 organised by schools. This advice will remain under review and will be updated in line with guidance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Transport (DfT) and Public Health England (PHE).

Members: Correspondence

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Leeds Central, dated 8 April 2020, on high school places in South Leeds.

Nick Gibb: I can confirm that the letter, received by the Department on 8 April 2020, from the right hon. Member for Leeds Central has been responded to.

Schools: Academic Year

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that schools break for the summer on their planned summer 2020 holiday dates.

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government plans to instruct schools to open during the 2020 summer holidays.

Nick Gibb: We have no plans to instruct schools to operate throughout summer.We understand that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused disruption to young people’s education as teachers and parents have had to adapt to remote education. We are doing everything possible to make sure every child, whatever their background, has the support they need to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their education and wellbeing and are working with partners to consider the best ways to deliver this ongoing support.

Children: ICT

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Downing Street Press Conference on 19 April 2020, how many eligible children had received (a) laptops and (b) 4G routers through the Government’s scheme as at 31 May 2020.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 46667 on Education: Coronavirus, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who are unable to access their school online classroom as a result of not having (i) digital devices and (ii) internet access at home in each (A) region and (B) nation of the UK; and how many and what proportion of secondary school pupils unable to access their school online classroom are eligible for (1) laptops and (2) routers under the Government scheme announced on 19 April 2020.

Nick Gibb: The Government has committed over £100 million to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in England to access remote education and social care services, including by providing laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers.The Government is providing over 200,000 laptops and tablets to vulnerable and disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in year 10, receiving support from a social worker or are a care leaver. The Government is also providing over 50,000 4G wireless routers to care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in year 10 who do not have internet connections.The Department has also partnered with BT to give 10,000 young people free access to BT WiFi hotspots, who do not have access to good internet by other means.Local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to identify and distribute the laptops and tablets to children and young people who need devices. The Department invited local authorities to order devices for the most vulnerable children first, children with a social worker and care leavers.Devices are being delivered to local authorities and academy trusts daily and will continue to be distributed throughout June.

Home Education: Coronavirus

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations he has received from (a) children’s charities and (b) schools on the effect on learning of a lack of access to school online classrooms during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: It is up to each school to determine how to deliver education to its pupils and we recognise that many schools have been regularly sharing resources with pupils. This could be in the form of online learning as well as high quality printed resources where needed.The Government has committed over £100 million to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in England to access remote education, including by providing laptops, tablets and 4G routers.The Department has also partnered with BT to give 10,000 young people free access to BT WiFi hotspots, who do not have access to good internet by other means.We are providing laptops and tablets to disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in Year 10, receiving support from a social worker or are a care leaver. Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in Year 10 do not have internet connections, we are providing 4G routers.We are committed to ensuring that all children can continue to learn remotely in a number of ways during these very difficult circumstances, and are supporting sector-led initiatives such as the Oak National Academy. This brand-new enterprise has been created by 40 teachers from schools across England. It will provide 180 video lessons for free each week, across a broad range of subjects, for every year group from reception through to Year 10. By 24 May, over 2.3 million users had visited the Oak Academy site and over 10.7 million lessons had been accessed.Schools can also utilise the many resources which have been made by publishers across the country.The Department has published an initial list of high quality online educational resources, which have been identified by some of the country’s leading educational experts to help pupils learn at home.Schools and families will also be able to draw on support from the BBC which is broadcasting lessons on television. Some of the BBC educational content is offline, via the red button, which disadvantaged pupils without digital devices or connectivity will still be able to access.

GCE A-level and GCSE: Assessments

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what processes his Department has put in place to determine the assessed grades at (a) GCSE and (b) A level of students who have registered at an exam centre but studied privately outside of a school or college.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Universities: Coronavirus

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support universities with international students who may be subject to quarantine policy due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: We are in discussions with Universities UK and other sector representatives on a regular basis to ensure that international higher education students are welcomed to the UK and we expect international students to be supported on arrival by their chosen university during these unprecedented times. On 3 June, the department published guidance to support providers in making decisions on re-opening campuses and buildings to students and staff ahead of the academic year 2020/21. Further information on this guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses. We also welcome the actions of Universities UK, who have set out principles for the sector to consider as it prepares for the autumn term, including encouraging higher education providers to think about how to support students during the self-isolation period. On Friday 5 June, the department announced Sir Steve Smith as the International Education Champion, a key deliverable of the 2019 International Education Strategy. Sir Steve will assist with opening up export growth opportunities for the whole UK education sector, tackling international challenges such as those posed to attracting international students and forging lasting global connections.

Universities: Coronavirus

Alicia Kearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that universities have adequate short-term liquidity during the covid-19 pandemic; and whether he plans to allocate additional funding to that sector.

Michelle Donelan: The government recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak is bringing significant financial challenges to the higher education (HE) sector, and we have been working closely with the sector to monitor the likely impacts including on short-term liquidity.On 4 May 2020, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced a package of measures to ensure sustainability in HE at a time of unprecedented uncertainty.We have stabilised the admissions system and will pull forward tuition fee payments, expected to be worth £2.6 billion, for providers so that they receive more cash in the first term of the 2020/21 academic year. This will have no impact on students but will allow providers to better manage financial risks over the autumn. This will be available to all providers across the UK. In reprofiling these payments, we are clear in our expectation that providers should use the cashflow benefits appropriately, taking significant steps to improve efficiencies and manage their finances in order to avoid cashflow problems in the future. Reprofiling in this way is a one-off intervention for the autumn term only, to help providers take all necessary steps now to prepare for the future.In England, we will also be bringing forward £100 million of quality-related research funding for providers to the current academic year to help to address some of the immediate pressures faced by university research activities.The department will consider purchasing land and buildings where they can be used for new or expanding schools and colleges in England. This will take place as part of existing programmes and using established procedures. This financial year (across purchases from all suitable vendors, including but not limited to HE providers), we have budgeted up to £100 million to acquire sites for planned projects in England. Details are available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students.The government has also confirmed that providers are eligible to apply for its support packages, including business loan support schemes. The Office for Students (OfS), the regulator in England, estimates that this could be worth at least £700 million to the sector. We will only intervene further where we believe there is a case to do so and where we believe intervention is possible and appropriate and as a last resort.In such instances, we will work with providers to review their circumstances and assess the need for restructuring and any attached conditions. The department will be working with HM Treasury and other government departments to develop this restructuring regime, as well as with the devolved administrations.

Further Education: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he will take to ensure that students have full access to online learning while college and university campuses are closed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: When lockdown began, higher education providers reacted rapidly to move provision online (in many cases within 24 hours), to ensure that students were able to access teaching and assessment. The vast majority of providers are currently planning to move to blended or dual provision for the next academic year. They have redesigned courses and timetables to be suitable for these new styles of delivery, front-loaded the next academic year with more online friendly provision and moved areas which require practical, face-to-face teaching or assessment to the back of the academic year. The Office for Students (OfS) has published information and guidance for providers and students, including frequently asked questions on a broad range of issues. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has also published a series of guides to support higher education providers to secure academic standards and to support student achievement during the outbreak. The government is aware of the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 outbreak will have on some students. Officials are working with the sector to identify what further steps may be necessary. The government has already worked closely with the OfS to help clarify that providers can draw upon existing funding to provide hardship funds and to support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. Providers are able to use the funding, worth around £23 million per month for June and July, towards student hardship funds, including the purchase of IT equipment and mental health support as well as to support providers’ access and participation plans. Using this facility, providers have been supporting those with practical access issues through the provision of IT equipment including laptops and Wi-Fi dongles to ensure that they are able to continue their studies online.

Academies: Discrimination

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons academy-related discrimination cases are outside the remit of the Education and Skills Funding Agency; and what options people have in an academy setting to pursue a discrimination case.

Nick Gibb: The law covering discrimination is the Equality Act 2010. This applies to all maintained and independent schools, including academies, and maintained and non-maintained special schools in England.The Act makes it unlawful for the responsible body of a school to discriminate against, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil:in relation to admissions;in the way it provides education for pupils;in the way it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service; orby excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment. If an individual feels that discrimination has taken place, in the first instance these cases could be resolved informally with the school. Should this fail to satisfactorily resolve the issue, then an official complaint can be made to the academy.If the complainant feels that the trust has not followed its complaints procedure, they can escalate this to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). The ESFA will assess the trust’s compliance with their complaints policy but cannot overturn the decision itself or suggest remedy.Formal proceedings in relation to a contravention of the education provisions of the Act will be brought in a county court. If the court rules that there has been a contravention, then it has the power to award an appropriate remedy, including any award of damages.Specialist tribunals which have experience and knowledge of disability issues will hear cases of contravention of the education provisions on grounds of disability. In England this will be the First-tier Tribunal. If the Tribunal rules that there has been a contravention, then it has the power to make an order of a remedy, which it sees as appropriate.The Department has set out advice on the Equality Act on GOV.UK, which is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools.

Free School Meals: Southwark

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary school children receive free school meals in (a) Camberwell and Peckham and (b) the London Borough of Southwark.

Vicky Ford: The most recent figures for number of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals come from the school census for January 2019, published on 27 June 2019. 2,658 pupils in primary schools in Camberwell and Peckham constituency were eligible for and claiming free school meals in January 2019, and 5,732 primary school pupils in the whole of the London Borough of Southwark. Further information can be found in the annual “School, pupils and their characteristics” statistical release which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers. Figures relating to January 2020 are due to be published on 25 June 2020.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners' Release: Curfews

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders released on home detention curfew in each of the last three years breached their curfew condition; and what proportion of those offenders were subsequently recalled to prison.

Lucy Frazer: The following table gives the number of offenders released on HDC who were reported for potential breach of the curfew related conditions of their release licence, and the number and proportion who were recalled for such breaches in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 201720182019Breach Reports2,0194,0854,832Recalls6491,4842,183Proportion of Recalls32%36%45%1.The figures in this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.2. A small number of recalls may be based on breach reports received the preceding year. For example, a recall on 1 January might be based on a breach report received on 31 December.Where a report of potential breach of the curfew related conditions from the electronic monitoring provider is received, officials acting on behalf of the Secretary of State must decide whether there has in fact been a breach and, if so, what action should be taken. Having regard to all the offender’s overall level of compliance and to what the breach indicates as to the offender’s risk, s/he might be recalled to prison or issued with a warning. In some cases, no action will be taken, for example, where the offender had a verified legitimate reason for being absent from the curfew address.HDC is a robust scheme which allows suitable, risk assessed, prisoners to work towards rehabilitation in the community, while remaining subject to strict monitoring and other conditions. If they breach these, they can be returned to custody.

Courts: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with leisure venue representatives on the potential use of those premises for socially distanced temporary courts during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: I refer the Hon Member to my answers of 2 June, to Question 49622; 8 June, to Question 53319; and 11 June, to Question 54054.HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) officials are looking at how we make the best possible use of the existing estate, as well as creating more capacity. This means considering whether any recently closed courts which are still owned by HMCTS are suitable for reopening, and identifying alternative spaces to further extend provision.We are looking at a range of venues that may be appropriate. Any additional capacity will need to meet standards for safety and security and be compliant with Covid-19 public health guidance.

Courts: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to ensure that courts are (a) thoroughly cleaned and (b) made covid-19 safe during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: HM Courts & Tribunals Service has introduced measures to enhance the cleanliness and safety of court and tribunal buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic. We have implemented additional cleaning in all open and staffed courts with over 150 extra cleaners recruited to enable a thorough, daily clean of work areas and equipment alongside additional touchpoint cleans on frequently touched areas at regular intervals. Supplies of soap, hand sanitiser and hand towels have been prioritised and are readily available. We have published guidance on new security procedures to be followed for those entering our buildings and have issued guidance to staff on social distancing measures, along with posters and displays throughout the building. The procedures we have implemented are in-line with Public Health England guidance to create a clean and safe environment for court users.

Courts: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what processes his Department has put in place to ensure the adequate cleaning of courts between cases during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: HM Courts & Tribunals Service has introduced measures to enhance the cleanliness of court and tribunal buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes implementing additional cleaning in all open and staffed courts throughout the day. Over 150 extra cleaners have been recruited to enable a thorough, daily clean of work areas and equipment alongside additional touchpoint cleans on frequently touched areas at regular intervals. Hearing rooms will be regularly cleaned but given the high turnover of cases in some courtrooms, this will take place as frequently as court business allows. The cleaning procedures we have implemented have been developed in line with Public Health England guidance to create a safe environment for court users.

Prisons: Utilities

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost to the public purse has been of utility bills in prisons that have been officially closed in each of the last five years.

Lucy Frazer: Where the Ministry of Justice has closed prisons, the level of services, such as heating, water and electricity, is reduced to that necessary to maintain the fabric of the buildings and ensure the sites remain safe and secure until final disposal.The expenditure on utility bills in prisons which have been officially closed in each of the last five years is set out in the table below:Financial year£2015/16363,4502016/173,5602017/18182,4812018/19104,9022019/2032,066 Footnotes1. Utilities includes: fuel; electricity; gas; and water & sewage.2. The costs shown reflect invoices which have been submitted and paid. There is a time lag between services which have been supplied and the submission of invoices by suppliers. The figures may not, therefore, reflect the extent of the services received during the period.3. The figures provided are drawn from our central accounting system and although care is taken when processing data, this may be subject to the inaccuracies and inputting errors inherent in any large-scale recording system.4. Expenditure includes that at central (MoJ Estates Directorate) level. The above figures exclude any costs incurred whilst the prisons were operational.5. Excludes the sites at Wellingborough and Glen Parva which are being redeveloped for new prisons.

Trials: Coronavirus

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of delays in trials as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, on justice outcomes.

Chris Philp: COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for the criminal justice system, but we have continued to deliver justice throughout. The UK has been a global leader and we are ahead of most comparable systems. Social distancing meant jury trials were paused, but the Courts did not stop. Across all Jurisdictions 159 Courts remained fully open to the public, and our ambitious use of technology has led to the Cloud Video Platform (CVP) being operational in over 100 courts, 90 police custody suites and 30 prisons, enabling us to conduct over 6,000 hearings on this platform. We will continue to roll this out at pace, and the benefits will be felt long after the pandemic has ended. HMCTS have worked hard to keep Courts open and jury trials have now resumed. HMCTS are pursuing an ambitious plan to continue to increase capacity. Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been protecting the public which is why we have made sure the most urgent cases, such as domestic violence and overnight custody cases, have been prioritised.

Courts and Tribunals

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the level of the backlog in (a) courts and (b) tribunals in each region in each of the last six months.

Chris Philp: In response to the level of the backlog in (a) courts in each region in each of the last six months, National Statistics on the level of outstanding work in the crown and magistrates’ courts for the first and second quarter of 2020 are due for publication in June and September 2020 respectively at the following link; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-court-statistics. National Statistics for the period up to December 2019 have been published at the same link. National Statistics on the level of outstanding work in the family and civil courts are not available.In response to the level of the backlog in (b) tribunals in each region in each of the last six months, data for the period October 2019 to March 2020 is provided at Annex A. These figures represent the total number of cases outstanding in each jurisdiction. Official Statistics on the level of outstanding work in tribunals for the second quarter of 2020 are due for publication in September 2020 at the following link; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.Figures on the level of outstanding work at the national level in the largest jurisdictions across HM Courts & Tribunals Service are published as monthly management information at the following link; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmcts-management-information. The exception to this is the civil courts, for which figures relating to outstanding work are not currently collated because a large proportion of cases that begin are subsequently settled out of court or discontinued without HMCTS being notified. The latest figures relate to April 2020 for most jurisdictions and March for the family courts.



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Department for International Trade

Riot Control Weapons: Exports

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which companies are licensed to export (a) rubber bullets and (b) tear gas; and to which countries those items are exported.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when the arms export licences to the United States were last reviewed.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: I refer the honourable member to the answer I provided on 8th June.All countries are under continual review, in line with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated Criteria’), and my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when circumstances require.Providing the names of companies licensed to export crowd controlled ammunition and tear gas would disclose commercially sensitive information.

Turkey: EDO MBM Technology

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether EDO MBM Technology Ltd have extant export licences to export hornet bomb racks to (a) Roketsan, Turkey and (b) any other consignee in that country.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: There are no extant licences in scope of this request.

Arms Trade: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish a list of all individual (a) municipal, (b) county (c) state and (d) federal police forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the United States licensed by her Department in the last five years.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) national guard and (b) federal military forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US licenced by her Department in the last five years.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) state correctional facilities and (b) federal correctional facilities identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US licenced by her Department in the last five years.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) non-police (b) non-military and (c) non-correctional agencies identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US by her Department in the last five years.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences currently remain in force for (a) municipal police, (b) county police, (c) state police, and (d) federal police forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences remain in force for (a) national guard, and (b) federal military forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences remain in force for (a) state correctional facilities and (b) federal correctional facilities identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences remain in force for all non-police, non-military, and non-correctional agencies identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated Criteria’). In line with the Consolidated Criteria, my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when circumstances require.HM Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about ex-port licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destina-tion, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.The data currently provides details of licences up to 31st December 2019. Information about the period 1st January to 31st March 2020 will be published in July 2020 and data covering the period 1st April to 30th September 2020 will be published in October 2020.A list of all entities as requested, and the requested information on military-rated extant licences for the end users detailed, can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, such information may be commercially sensitive.

Arms Trade: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish all information associated with the five Specific Individual Export Licences issued in 2019 which cover goods listed under control entry PL5001 for export to the US.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish an itemised list of all exports to the US of goods listed under control entry PL5001 for each of the last five years.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: HM Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK.These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.The data currently provides details of licences up to 31st December 2019. Information about the period 1st January to 31st March 2020 will be published in July 2020 and data covering the period 1st April to 30th September 2020 will be published in October 2020.Bespoke reports (e.g. by country, goods type and for specific timeframes) may also be produced by registering on the Strategic Export Controls Reports and Statistics Website at: https://www.exportcontroldb.trade.gov.uk/sdb2/fox/sdb/SDBHOME. However, an itemised list of all exports to the United States of America of goods listed under control entry PL5001 is not centrally held and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has authorised the export of hand-held spiked batons for end users in the US in the last 12 months.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has authorised the export of (a) acoustic devices and (b) components designed for those devices for riot control purposes for end users in the US in the last five years.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has authorised the export of shackles designed for restraining people, for end users in the United States in the last 12 months.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: With reference to questions UIN: 58656 and 58659, no Standard Individual Exports licences (SIELS), nor Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) have been authorised for these items over the last twelve months.With reference to question UIN: 58657, no Standard Individual Exports licences (SIELS), nor Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) have been authorised for these items over the last five years.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Buildings

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer on 15 May 2020 to Question 43779 on Civil Servants, at how many multi-hub locations employees of his Department work together with employees of another Department or agency in London managed by the Government Property Agency; what the addresses are of those locations; and what other Departments and agencies employ staff at those locations.

Luke Hall: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 12 June 2020 (UIN 54314).

Air Pollution: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support he plans to provide to Local Authorities to help maintain the reduced pollution levels recorded during the covid-19 lockdown period.

Mr Simon Clarke: Councils are crucial in preparing for and mitigating climate change. MHCLG is working across Whitehall to ensure the strategy for net zero recognises the role of towns, communities and regional actors.As we move towards the renewal phase we have an opportunity to consider where we may make lasting changes, for example to our transport behaviours, in order to capture those environmental benefits we have recently seen in our communities. It is important that we use this opportunity to build back greener so our towns and cities are healthier, cleaner and more resilient.     The new £250 million emergency active travel fund announced on 9 May is designed to help local authorities create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling in their regions.  The money will help create pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors. We want to support all communities across England who want to change the way they use their streets and new guidance has already been published to tell councils how they can give more road space to cyclists and pedestrians.  Alongside the funding announcement, the Department for Transport published statutory guidance to local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004, providing advice on the changes to road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians. The guidance is available at:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities    To encourage drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles as part of a greener future, we also announced an extra £10 million to incentivise local authorities to install up to 7,200 additional on-street electric vehicle chargepoints, doubling the current funding amount for the second time this year.  It is for authorities to decide what measures are best aligned with local opportunities and needs. These huge levels of investment will help councils protect the environment in ways that could have otherwise taken years to achieve.

Housing

Lee Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress his Department has made on improving the home buying and selling process since his Department's consultation on that topic closed in December 2017.

Christopher Pincher: We have worked with industry on a range of measures to make the process quicker, cheaper and less stressful. For example, we published "how to " guides to lead consumers through the process, ensured estate agent referral fees are transparent, set an 10 day turnaround for searches and started work to test reservation agreements which will increase commitment between buyers and sellers.

Hospitality Industry: Social Distancing

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing grants to (a) pubs and restaurants with limited outside space that will not be able to re-open as soon as others as a result of covid-19 social distancing measures and (b) other businesses in the hospitality sector.

Mr Simon Clarke: The Government has announced a package of support for businesses to help with their ongoing business costs in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19.This package of support includes the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF), the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) and Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF).Businesses which are not eligible for the grant schemes should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including:An option to defer VAT payments by up to twelve months;The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, now extended to cover all businesses including those which would be able to access commercial credit;The Bounce Back Loan scheme, which will ensure that small and micro businesses can quickly access loans of up to £50,000 which are 100 per cent guaranteed by the Government;The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage bills;The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-employed.Information on this support for businesses can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-supportOfficials are keeping in close contact with local authorities to understand how the schemes are rolling out and advising ministers on any additional support which could be offered to help businesses and support local economies.

Housing: Solar Power

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring that solar PV be installed on all new homes.

Christopher Pincher: Mandating a particular renewable technology, such as solar panels, may not be appropriate for all dwellings in all areas. Building regulations and national planning policy encourage the use of renewables without requiring any particular technology. Building regulations are deliberately couched in performance terms, allowing builders, local councils and architects the flexibility to select from a range of renewable energy technologies to suit the potentially unique circumstances of a particular development.

Hospitality Industry: Social Distancing

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to enable the hospitality industry to utilise outside space to comply with social distancing.

Mr Simon Clarke: Ahead of any decision to reopen hospitality, the Government will consider how to support pubs, restaurants and cafes to open up and serve customers safely. Any changes would be supported by updates to the Covid-19 Secure: Safer Public Places guidance as appropriate.

Housing: Standards

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that housing is (a) healthy and (b) energy efficient.

Christopher Pincher: This Government is committed to improving housing standards and the energy efficiency of homes.In October 2019, we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard, which proposed a highly ambitious uplift to energy efficiency standards for new homes, along with improvements to the standards for ventilation in new homes. Within this consultation, we also committed to consult further on energy efficiency standards where work is carried out in existing homes, and on an overheating standard for new homes.Within the Clean Growth Strategy, we proposed that as many homes as possible will be upgraded to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2035, where practical, cost-effective and affordable. We are planning to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings.Policies and guidance are also in place to make sure that both social housing and private rented accommodation are fit and healthy places to live, including the Decent Homes Standard and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act came into force on 20th March 2019. We also plan to bring forward a Social Housing White Paper, which will set out further measures to ensure social homes are safe and decent.The National Planning Policy Framework encourages local planning policies and decisions so that developments create places that are sustainable, and which promote health and well-being.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

James Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Building Safety Programme: 26th monthly data release, data as at 31 December 2019, published by his Department, how many of the 75 private sector residential buildings with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet building regulations that were reported in that data release as having responded with an intent to remediate and are developing plans (a) do not yet have a remediation plan in place and (b) have had enforcement action taken against them.

Christopher Pincher: As at 31 May 2020, there were 40 high-rise private sector residential buildings that had reported an intent to remediate and are developing plans. Where building owners are failing to make acceptable progress, those responsible should expect further action to be taken – including tougher enforcement action by local authorities and Fire and Rescue Services.   Of those that only had an 'intent' to remediate in December 2019, the Department is aware of enforcement action that has been taken against 10 of them, including those where the Joint Inspection Team has provided support to local authorities.

Rented Housing: Antisocial Behaviour

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what powers local authorities have to tackle tenants who breach their tenancy agreement as a result of anti social behaviour.

Christopher Pincher: Landlords have the power to seek the repossession of a tenant’s home for serious breaches of their tenancy agreement on the grounds of anti social behaviour.Landlords may still serve a notice of intention of seeking possession during this period which must be for a minimum of 3 months. No court proceedings can be commenced until the 3 month notice period has expired.Landlords may also, where appropriate, work with their local authority to use the powers available via the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which offers a wide range of flexible non-possession approaches to tackling anti-social behaviour. The remedies include the use of injunctions, closure orders and community protection notices.

Rented Housing: Antisocial Behaviour

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Government's announcement that the ban on evictions during the covid-19 outbreak will be extended until the 23 August 2020, whether (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations that are seeking evictions as a result of of anti-social behaviour will be exempt from that ban.

Christopher Pincher: The current stay on possession proceedings in the courts applies to all proceedings, regardless of who the landlord is. There are no exemptions available for local authority or housing association landlords.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Michael Fabricant: What recent steps his Department has taken to support the clinically extremely vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: At the start of this pandemic we advised Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people to shield - to not leave their homes and avoid face-to-face contact – and we set up the National Shielding Service; a huge logistical exercise unprecedented since the Second World War.This has included delivering over 3 million free food boxes to date, securing priority supermarket slots, getting people’s medicines delivered to their doorstep, and social contact.On 1 June, following clinical advice, we announced that clinically extremely vulnerable people in England can spend time outdoors with members of their household, or with one other person from another household if they live alone, while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines.The next review will take place this week. As part of this, the Government will consider the next steps for shielding beyond 30 June. The Government will write to all individuals on the shielded patient list with information about next steps on shielding advice and the support that will be available to them after this review point.

Multiple Occupation: Coronavirus

Siobhain McDonagh: What steps the Government is taking to support tenants in (a) multiple occupancy dwellings and (b) buildings with multiple residences during the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: All tenants benefit from our unprecedented support package and protection from eviction. This is supported by guidance, including to tenants who are shielded or in accommodation with shared facilities. Tenants are spending more time at home so we’re clear that inspections and repairs to remedy direct risks should take place in all rented properties, in line with social distancing requirements.

Immigrants: Finance

Stephen Timms: What proportion of the £500 million hardship fund for local authorities is available to support residents that have leave to remain in the UK with no recourse to public funds conditions.

Mr Simon Clarke: The £500 million Hardship Fund will help over 2 million people in England who are in receipt of local council tax support. Over a quarter of councils intend to use any surplus funding to offer additional discretionary support, and may choose to make this accessible to people with no recourse to public funds.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the provision of covid-19 testing facilities for homelessness accommodation providers.

Luke Hall: We are working closely with the DHSC and are committed to the safety of homelessness accommodation. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 can access testing and symptomatic frontline homelessness staff can be tested as a priority, so they can continue their important work.

Small Businesses: Coronavirus

Munira Wilson: If he will increase the level of the top-up to the local business grant funds scheme made available to local authorities to support small businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke: So far, over £10.2 billion has been paid to over 832,000 businesses through the Small Business Grant and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants. Over £40 million has supported 2,447 business premises in Richmond Upon Thames and an additional £2.1 million is available to them as part of the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund. My officials continue to monitor the roll-out of the scheme and levels of demand.

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus

Florence Eshalomi: What steps he is taking to mitigate the risk to private tenants of being evicted as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: We have provided an unprecedented package of support for renters during this pandemic. On 5 June, we announced that the government’s suspension on evictions would be extended for another 2 months until 23 August, taking the moratorium on evictions to 5 months. We are committed to ensuring that no one is evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Recruitment

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have enlisted in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Royal Navy and (d) Royal Marines in each of the last five years, by constituency.

James Heappey: It is taking time to collate the information needed to respond to the hon. Member’s question. I will write to him as soon as it is available.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have applied for universal credit due to being ineligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme because they are a sole trader and receive a dividend instead of PAYE; and how many of those claimants have received universal credit to date.

Mims Davies: The data requested is not available.

Jobcentres: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have used the services of jobcentre offices in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in each year since 2015.

Mims Davies: We are unable to provide the information requested on the number of people who have used the services of the jobcentres within the Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in each year since 2015 as this information is not recorded.

Work Capability Assessment: Coronavirus

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to publish data on the effectiveness of the legacy benefits system in responding to increased demand for work capability assessments including the (a) number of referrals for work capability assessments and (b) average length of time between notification of a health condition and referral for that work capability assessment being made during the covid-19 outbreak.

Justin Tomlinson: Statistics on Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment (WCA) outcomes are published quarterly. The latest figures covering a) the number and outcome of completed initial and repeat WCAs by month of claim up to September 2019 and b) the median end-to-end clearance time which includes ‘claim registration to WCA referral’ by month of clearance up to December 2019 can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-and-support-allowance-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessment Additional breakdowns of the ESA WCA figures can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance for users is available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html The statistics for completed assessments to March 2020 and June 2020 will be published in September and December 2020 respectively and there are currently no plans to publish any additional statistics in those releases.  The following special points should be noted:We have no plans to publish any additional statistics beyond the already agreed ESA WCA publication schedule. The published statistics include:a) WCA numbers and outcomes for completed initial and repeat assessments up to end of December 2019;b) WCA outcomes by claim start date (up to September 2019) or WCA date (up to December 2019). WCA outcome information is only published for referrals that have completed the WCA and have an outcome;c) Median end-to-end clearance time which includes ‘claim registration to WCA referral’ by month of clearance up to December 2019. The definition is shown below:‘Claim registration to WCA referral' measures the time taken from claim registration date to the case's referral date to the WCA assessment provider. Only claims that have completed the WCA process and have an outcome are included. The claim registration date is the date the claimant has first contact with the Department when making a claim to ESA. Referral start date is the date the claimant is referred to the healthcare provider for assessment.

Social Distancing: Coronavirus

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the financial effect of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on people who are (a) shielding, (b) isolating with someone who is shielding and (c) social distancing as a result of being clinically vulnerable.

Justin Tomlinson: The public health guidance is clear. People are encouraged to work from home where they can. If they cannot, they can still go to work, but need to follow the guidance, for example about social distancing and hand washing. Only those in the shielding group or who are isolating because they or someone in their household has symptoms, or are isolating because they have been contacted by the test and trace service, are advised not to go to work. A range of support has been made available for people who cannot work. For example:Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public health guidance, or who need to stay home with someone who is shielding, can be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Those who are clinically vulnerable but not shielding are eligible for furlough on the same grounds as other employees. The decision to access the CJRS is at the employer’s discretion. The CJRS will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June.We have introduced new provisions making Statutory Sick Pay payable from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 – where an eligible individual is sick, self-isolating or shielding.People who are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay may be able to claim Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance, and this will include those people who are self-isolating in accordance with government guidelines.We have relaxed the seven waiting days for Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants who may have coronavirus, or isolating in accordance with the government guidelines, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, or those extremely vulnerable individuals who have been advised to shield because they are at high risk of severe illness, so they will be entitled from day one of their claim.

Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating (a) disability and (b) carer benefits to reflect potential additional costs for people who are (i) shielding and (ii) clinically vulnerable but not shielding during the covid-19 lockdown.

Justin Tomlinson: The personal allowance in Employment and Support Allowance was increased by 1.7% from 6 April, following the Government announcement to end the benefits freeze in November 2019. The rates of additional-needs disability benefits and of carers’ benefits, which were not subject to the benefit freeze, were increased by the same percentage. Carers on low incomes can receive around an additional £1,950 a year through the Carer’s Element in Universal Credit, and those with health conditions and disabilities can receive an additional £4,100 through the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity Element. In addition, the Government has announced a suite of measures that can be quickly and effectively operationalised to benefit those facing the most financial disruption during the pandemic. This includes providing an uplift equivalent to £20 a week to the standard allowance in Universal Credit. The Universal Credit IT system is more flexible than the Department’s legacy systems. It also uses different technology from other DWP systems, and these older systems have complex interactions and interdependencies. Taken together, DWP’s pandemic measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system and, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support introduced by an advanced economy in response to COVID19.

Social Security Benefits: Complaints

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department made of the proportion of claimants assessed for (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance who subsequently make a complaint about the (i) conduct and (b) content of the assessment report.

Justin Tomlinson: The information is not held in the specific categories requested.

Pensioners: British Nationals Abroad

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many UK pensioners live in (a) EU countries, (b) Commonwealth countries and (c) elsewhere in the world.

Guy Opperman: The table below shows the number of pensioners in receipt of the UK State Pension living in the country groupings requested. Please note that residents in Cyprus and Malta appear in both the European Union and Commonwealth totals. Country GroupNumber of UK State PensionersEuropean Union (excluding UK)464,180Commonwealth (excluding UK)511,760Rest of the world211,100 Source: Stat Xplore Nov 2019.Statistical disclosure control has been applied to this table to avoid the release of confidential data. Totals may not sum due to the disclosure control applied.Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Children: Maintenance

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,  with reference to child maintenance services, what proportion of payments made to parents with care are currently being made at the assessed level; and what the level of arrears is as a proportion of the monthly amount due.

Mims Davies: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



The available information regarding payments is available on Gov.uk. up to and including December 2019. Table 9 of the National Tables refers. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-to-december-2019-experimental  We do not have information in relation to the level of arrears as a proportion of the monthly amount due.

Children: Maintenance

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the levels of (a) staff and (b) resources allocated to child maintenance payments has changed since the covid-19 lockdown began.

Mims Davies: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



Child Maintenance Service, as part of Department for Work and Pensions is supporting the effort to deliver essential services during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Some colleagues have been redeployed to support the effort in benefit payments.  Our priority is to maintain the flow of maintenance that is currently being paid, by easing the financial pressure on parents and ensuring that we transfer the payments as quickly as possible to receiving parents. While there has been the redeployment of some Child Maintenance Service colleagues, the majority have remained in their current roles and are working to ensure the flow of payments is maintained.

Children: Maintenance

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on individuals' personal finances of waiting times of up to 12 weeks for the Child Maintenance Service to respond to reports that an ex-partner of a claimant has stopped paying child maintenance.

Mims Davies: Holding answer received on 15 June 2020



The Government recognises that the income of many separated parents is being impacted by the public health emergency and some receiving parents may receive less maintenance as a result of a paying parent’s drop in income. Paying parents are still expected to pay child maintenance throughout this period. Our priority is to maintain the flow of maintenance that is currently being paid, by easing the financial pressure on paying parents and ensuring that we transfer the payments as quickly as possible to receiving parents. In order to ensure that receiving parents do not lose out in the long run, we will update calculations as soon as possible and collect any unpaid amounts that may have accrued. For the small minority who might be found to be abusing the system at this difficult time they could potentially find themselves subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers once the emergency passes. From July 2020, we will also reopen Case Maintenance action, updating cases with notified changes and restarting arrears pursuit activity. Measures have been introduced to support both paying and receiving parents, whose income drops as a result of the public health emergency. These include increasing the standard rate of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by over £1000 per year, benefiting over 4 million of the most vulnerable households. We have also increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to extend the three month suspension of face-to-face benefit assessments.

Justin Tomlinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2020 to Question UIN 52251.

Social Security Benefits

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of benefit claims were successful in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire and (c) England and Wales in April (i) 2018, (ii) 2019 and (iii) 2020.

Will Quince: The available statistics for Universal Credit claims by postcode area, and starts by postcode area and Jobcentre Plus office are published quarterly at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ The available statistics for outcomes of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by various geographies are published quarterly at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk The available statistics for registrations and clearances for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by various geographies are published quarterly at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Guidance for users is available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.htmlThe information for all other benefits is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Department for Work and Pensions: Written Questions

Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to answer (a) Questions 49012 and 49013 tables on 19 May 2020 tabled by the hon Member for Middlesbrough and (b) Question 52074 tabled on 1 June 2020 by the hon Member for Bradford East.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Immigrants: Coronavirus

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2020 to Question 52025 on Unemployment: Immigrants, what support her Department is providing for people who fall outside of all of the coronavirus financial support packages as a result of no recourse to public funds being a condition of their indefinite leave to remain settlement status.

Justin Tomlinson: Non-UK nationals and family members who are issued with a residence permit with a NRPF condition are not eligible to access taxpayer-funded benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit or housing assistance for the duration of their leave. Public funds does not include contributions-based benefits and the State Pension. DWP has no powers to award taxpayer-funded benefits to an individual whose Home Office immigration status specifies no recourse to public funds. The Home Office determine whether persons granted leave to enter or remain in the UK are eligible to access public funds. However, as part of its response to COVID-19, the government announced in the Budget on 11 March that it would provide local authorities in England with £500 million of new grant funding to support economically vulnerable people and households in their local area.

Children: Maintenance

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of delays by the Child Maintenance Service in pursuing payments for resident parents during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Work and Pensions: Secondment

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of her Department's staff have been seconded to other Government departments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personal Independence Payment: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) made an application for personal independence payments in Scotland (i) since 24 March 2020 and (b) in 2019; and how many of those people had their application (A) awarded and (B) disallowed (1) pre-assessment and (2) post-assessment.

Justin Tomlinson: The table below shows a comparison of the outcomes of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims registered by claimants in Scotland throughout the whole of 2019 and between 24th March – 30th April 2020. The latest published journey time from PIP registration to clearance in April 2020 in Scotland was 21 weeks on average for a new claim and 27 weeks for a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP reassessment claim. This goes some way to explaining why the majority of claims registered from 24th March 2020 onwards had not received an initial decision as of 30th April 2020, the latest date for which data is available. It is worth noting that the majority of claims cleared since 24th March 2020 were cleared under the Special Rules for Terminally Ill claimants for which the average customer journey time in Great Britain was 5 working days for New Claims and 6 working days for DLA to PIP Reassessment claims. Table 1: Comparison of outcomes of PIP claims registered in Scotland in 2019 and from 24th March 2020  Date of registration to PIP Outcome of PIP Claim201924th March 2020 OnwardsTotalAwarded43,66014043,800Disallowed post-referral to AP24,980-24,990Disallowed pre-referral to the AP16,950-16,950Withdrawn1,350101,360Case Still Outstanding7,6003,22010,810Total number of PIP Registrations94,5503,37097,920 Source: PIP ADS NotesPIP data includes normal rules and special rules for terminally ill claimants, and is for both new claims and DLA reassessment claims.Data has been rounded to the nearest 10. Component parts may not sum due to rounding.Cases disallowed post referral to the AP includes claims disallowed at assessment and claims disallowed for failing to attend the assessment.Cases disallowed pre-referral to the AP includes claims Disallowed for failing to return the PIP2 form and claims disallowed for failing lay rules.Definition of Claims Still Outstanding: Claims that have been registered but have not received an initial decision as of 30th April 2020.This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to future revision.

Universal Credit: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2020 to Question 43917, on Universal Credit, how many families in Scotland who have made a claim for universal credit since 23 March 2020 have three or more children.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Security Benefits

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to extend the suspension of benefit reviews and reassessments for (a) universal credit, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) personal independence payment beyond 24 June 2020.

Justin Tomlinson: We are currently in the process of reviewing this measure, and will confirm next steps as soon as possible.

Carers: Coronavirus

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing carers who are in receipt of carer’s allowance with additional financial support to help them meet the increased costs of caring resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, in (a) City of Durham constituency and (b) England.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government recognises and appreciates the vital role played by unpaid carers now more than ever. In November 2019 there were more than 1,300 carers in the City of Durham constituency that were receiving Carer’s Allowance (CA) and in 2018/19 we spent approximately £4.6 million on CA there. We have focussed on ensuring carers do not inadvertently stop receiving CA because of changes to patterns of care during the current emergency. This includes allowing emotional support to count towards the 35 hours of care being provided by the carer as well as relaxing the rules around breaks in care. These changes aim to support carers whose role has, in many cases, become harder due to the need to self-isolate or shield the person they care for. The rate of CA was also increased in early April as part of the annual uprating process. Since 2010, the rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 to £67.25 a week, meaning nearly an additional £700 a year for carers. We continue to support those carers in most need through additional amounts (premiums) in means-tested benefits and have also announced increases to the standard allowance in Universal Credit. Meaning claimants will be up to £1040 a year better off, which some carers receiving Universal Credit will benefit from.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Pets: Travel

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to introduce a pet passport for travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after the end of the transition period.

Victoria Prentis: We intend to publish further guidance on pet travel, and in respect of arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in due course. We are working with the European Commission to ensure pet travel between the UK and EU continues smoothly after January 2021. During the Transition Period the current rules on pet travel between the UK and EU continue to apply, meaning travellers may continue to use their existing pet passports.

Animal Welfare: Inspections

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make the appointment of a permanent animal welfare inspector a mandatory requirement for local authorities.

Victoria Prentis: Local authorities in England are already required to appoint suitably qualified animal welfare inspectors in order to enforce the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. The 2018 Regulations require local authorities to consider applications for and undertake inspections of businesses seeking licences for certain animal related activities; namely dog breeding, pet selling, cat and dog boarding, riding schools and keeping or training animals for exhibition. Local authorities’ inspections ensure that welfare conditions are applied and they have powers to refuse or revoke a licence. The regulations provide for full cost recovery of local authority activity through licensing fees.

Public Sector: Food

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's Food is GREAT campaign, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that (a) Government departments and (b) other public bodies prioritise British produce in their purchases.

Victoria Prentis: Defra is having conversations across Government with regard to food procurement policy, and how we can highlight the importance of buying domestic food. We will build on this engagement and review how the public sector, including hospitals, schools and prisons, can benefit from sourcing British produce. At the end of the Transition Period, there will be further scope to prioritise British produce in the public sector.The UK's growing reputation for quality food and drink, with high standards of food safety, animal welfare and sustainability is an excellent platform to increase demand for our products still further. Defra's Food is GREAT campaign leverages this growing reputation and helps businesses to succeed in overseas markets by ensuring global recognition of UK excellence in food and drink, whilst encouraging our food and drink companies to export more.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the timetable for the consultation on the proposed policy statement on environmental principles as set out in the Environment Bill.

Rebecca Pow: It is our intention to publish the timetable for the consultation on the proposed policy statement on environmental principles. In the meantime, the Explanatory Note published alongside the Environment Bill sets out the initial approach to the policy statement.

Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the systems required to ensure that the environmental principles set out in the Environment Bill inform relevant Ministerial policy making.

Rebecca Pow: The Environment Bill places a new legal duty on Ministers to have due regard to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy across Government. The policy statement will provide clarity on the interpretation and application of the environmental principles to the policy-making process. These principles will also be embedded into existing government policy making guidance, including HM Treasury’s Green Book.

Office for Environmental Protection: Finance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the first five-year ring-fenced budget for the Office for Environmental Protection will commence.

Rebecca Pow: Defra will agree with HM Treasury a budget that will be ring-fenced for each spending review period, giving the Office for Environmental Protection greater certainty over its finances. The budget will be announced as soon as possible after the Environment Bill achieves Royal Assent.

Office for Environmental Protection: Public Appointments

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Chair and other non-executive members of the proposed Office for Environmental Protection will be recruited through open competition, (b) what the timetable is for recruitment to those positions and (c) whether those positions will be filled by 1 January 2021.

Rebecca Pow: The Government intends to recruit the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) Chair and other non-executive members through open competition prior to the OEP’s full statutory powers commencing. We are currently assessing the impact of the Environment Bill’s pause and the wider context of COVID-19 on the public appointments timescales.

Environment Protection: Standards

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the (a) timetable and (b) process for the recruitment of independent experts to inform the development of new environmental targets as proposed in the Environment Bill.

Rebecca Pow: The Government plans to bring forward at least one target, in each of the four priority areas, by the Environment Bill’s 31st October 2022 deadline. We want to get this right so will be engaging stakeholders about our stepped approached to target setting, including the involvement of independent experts in that process. The target setting steps will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets; developing fully evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and finally drafting target legislation. We expect to publish a Target Policy Paper over the coming months which will include further details and timing about these steps.

Food: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what quality control measures apply to food parcels delivered to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and shielding from covid-19.

Victoria Prentis: The food parcels delivered to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and shielding are subject to quality control. The contract with Brakes and Bidfood includes several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which are reported against regularly, and are used to manage the current service and improve service in the future. Two of these KPIs relate to food box product quality and food box satisfaction, which is assessed partly through a user survey.

Livestock: Disease Control

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to work with Welsh farming communities on tackling (a) bovine TB and (b) other prevailing livestock diseases.

Victoria Prentis: Animal health disease control policy is a devolved matter. Defra Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts in the devolved administrations via the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer also meets regularly with her counterparts in the UK devolved administrations to discuss animal health issues.

Fisheries

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is his Department is taking with its international counterparts to prevent over-fishing in the world's oceans by distant water fishing fleets.

Victoria Prentis: The UK is taking firm action on this issue alongside our international counterparts across a wide range of fronts. These include, but are not limited to, playing a leading role in the global fight to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and engaging proactively in the work of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations to ensure more sustainable management of high seas fisheries. We are also advocating for the elimination of incentives and subsidies for fisheries that are detrimental to the conservation of marine biodiversity in the current negotiations at the World Trade Organisation and in the context of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Fisheries: UK Relations with EU

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government plans to publish the UK’s negotiating position on a future fisheries agreement with the EU.

Victoria Prentis: The Government published its approach to fisheries negotiations on 27 February and has since published its draft Fisheries Framework Agreement legal text, as set out in a Written Ministerial Statement laid before the House on 19 May.

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities: Bye Laws

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps with (a) recreational fishermen and (b) Fish Legal to clarify the guidance for Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities on the introduction of emergency bylaws under section 157 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Victoria Prentis: Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are independent statutory authorities and have direct responsibility to sustainably manage sea fisheries resources in their districts. Therefore, it is for each IFCA to decide whether a situation warrants an emergency byelaw and if this meets the qualifying criteria as laid down in Section 157 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Defra has provided best practice guidance on IFCA byelaw-making, including emergency byelaws made under section 157, this is available online through GOV.UK and IFCA websites. Defra has not been approached by any IFCA to provide further statutory guidance on the aforementioned qualifying criteria.

Agriculture: Soil

Anthony Mangnall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage the practice of regenerative agriculture.

Victoria Prentis: Countryside Stewardship is delivering on the Government’s ambition of protecting and improving the natural environment by supporting 30,000 farmers, foresters and land owners to carry out environmental works. The focus of the scheme is on conserving and restoring wildlife habitats, managing flood risk, reducing water pollution and planting woodland. As of December 2019, 2.83 million hectares of land was under an agri-environment agreement and 2,700 hectares of new woodland had been planted under the scheme. Farmers and other land managers who sign up to new Countryside Stewardship agreements during the Transition Period will be well-placed in the future to participate in the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, subject to successfully applying. ELM will be the cornerstone of our new agricultural policy. Founded on the principle of “public money for public goods”, ELM is intended to provide a powerful vehicle for achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and commitment to net zero emissions, while supporting our rural economy. Farmers and other land managers may enter into agreements to be paid for delivering the following public goods set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan:clean airclean and plentiful waterthriving plants and wildlifeprotection from and mitigation of environmental hazardsmitigation of and adaptation to climate changebeauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment Beyond agriculture, nature-based solutions are key to tackling climate change and averting its impacts. The UK Government is deploying such solutions to improve our natural environment. Where nature-based solutions contribute towards the delivery of these public goods, they may be funded by ELM. We will determine in more detail what ELM will pay for as we further develop the scheme and are engaging with stakeholders to inform this.

Packaging: Recycling

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the deposit return scheme to food jars and sauce bottles.

Rebecca Pow: The Government plans to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers subject to further evidence and analysis. The specific details of a DRS, including the material and drinks to be included in scope, will be developed further and will be presented in a second consultation. We may wish to introduce, at some point in the future, a DRS for other products such as batteries, electrical and electronic equipment and tyres. Powers in the Environment Bill will allow us the flexibility to set up a DRS for other waste streams should we decide to do so. There has been no specific assessment of the potential to extend a DRS to food jars and sauce bottles but we generally consider that a DRS may be the appropriate vehicle for articles that we regard as difficult to manage at end of life, are not typically recycled or are frequently littered or fly-tipped.

Birds: Pest Control

Ms Nusrat Ghani: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many applications for individual licences for the control of (a) jackdaws, (b) jays and (c) rooks to conserve wildlife within European protected sites have been refused.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many individual applications for wildlife management licencees for control of (a) jackdaws, (bi) jays and (c) rooks within (a) European protected sites and (b) buffer zones for those sites were granted by Natural England in the latest period for which information is available.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence is required for applications for individual licences for the control of (a) jackdaws, (b) jays and (c) rooks to conserve wildlife within (a) European protected sites and (b) the buffer zones of those sites.

Rebecca Pow: In 2020 Natural England has refused 19 such individual licences for jackdaws, 13 for jays and 11 for rooks within European protected sites and a 300 metre buffer zone around them. Natural England has not granted any such licences for jackdaws or rooks this year but has granted one for jays. Before granting such an individual licence Natural England requires evidence that: there is a genuine problem to resolve or need to satisfy, for which a statutory licensing purpose appliesthere are no satisfactory alternatives, including non-lethal solutions having been tried or considered and shown to be ineffectivethe licensed action will contribute to resolving the problem or meeting the needthe action to be licensed is proportionate to the problem or needthe licenced action will not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of any species or habitat

Glass: Recycling

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of (a) deposit return schemes and (b) extended producer responsibility on on glass recycling rates.

Rebecca Pow: In 2019, we consulted on Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (DRS), and on Reforming the UK Packaging Producer Responsibility System (EPR). In support of these consultations, impact assessments were also published. These impact assessments include analysis of the effect of a DRS and EPR for packaging on the glass packaging recycling rates over the appraisal period. This includes both the effect of the schemes individually, and the combined effect of the schemes. The analysis indicates that, the combined impact of a DRS and EPR for packaging would increase the UK glass packaging recycling rates to 82% by 2032, compared to 72% under a scenario without these schemes. Furthermore, the analysis shows that all of this would be from the effect of introducing a DRS. It has been estimated in WRAPs Glass Packaging Flow Data Report that around 80% of glass packaging placed on the market in the UK is glass beverage bottles. https://www.wrap.org.uk/content/glass-flow-2025-–-glass-packaging-flow-data-report Any packaging that is obligated under a DRS will not be obligated under EPR for packaging. This means that, EPR for packaging would only be applicable to around 20% of glass packaging placed on the market, and therefore will have little impact on glass packaging recycling rates. The assumptions and details behind these figures, and further analysis of the impacts of these schemes, can be found in the impact assessment documents:DRS IA https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environment/introducing-a-deposit-return-scheme/supporting_documents/depositreturnconsultia.pdfEPR IA https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/consultation-on-reforming-the-uk-packaging-produce/supporting_documents/packagingeprconsultimpactassessment.pdf. We are currently working to improve this analysis, which will be subject to a second consultation in due course.

Rural Development Programme: Coronavirus

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Rural Development Programme for England Network on potential changes to deadlines for funding applications during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rebecca Pow: Defra officials have had a number of discussions with rural stakeholders about the impact of COVID-19 on existing and future Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) projects. Application deadlines for some RDPE schemes, including Historic Buildings Grants, have already been extended. We are examining the timetable for the current round of the Growth Programme and will inform applicants of any changes if they are made.

Litter: Fines

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to increase statutory fines for littering.

Rebecca Pow: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South on 10 June 2020, PQ UIN 52409. [www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-03/52409]

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Overseas Aid

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he last met with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance spending.

Rebecca Pow: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not met bilaterally with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending. ODA is discussed at the National Security Council. Officials are in regular contact on this matter. Lord Goldsmith is the responsible Minister for Defra’s ODA spending. As joint Minister for Defra, DFID and FCO, Lord Goldsmith meets regularly with the Secretary of State for International Development and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

National Parks: Chilterns

Dame Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on assessing the potential merits of the recommendation in the Glover Report that the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty should be designated as a National Park.

Rebecca Pow: The independent Review of Landscapes, led by Julian Glover, was commissioned by the Government as part of the 25 Year Plan for the Environment. Among its proposals are new designated landscapes, including consideration of National Park status for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Government has welcomed the spirit and ambition of the Review and will respond in due course.

Home Office

Asylum: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting the financial welfare of asylum seekers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: We have been reviewing the level of the cash allowances provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, as we do each year to ensure that they remain capable of meeting their essential living needs.As a result of this work, the standard allowance has been raised to £39.60 per week from £37.75 per week, an increase of around 5%. The increase is significantly higher than the current general rate of inflation, which Office of National Statistics data shows was only 0.8% in the 12 months period to April 2020. Food inflation over the same period was only 1.4% and the data actually shows that, despite Covid-19, food prices fell between March to April 2020. In addition to asylum support payments, asylum seekers are provided with free accommodation, utilities are paid for, council tax is paid for, they have free access to the NHS and their children have free access to education.

Asylum: Finance

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2020 to Question 41562 on asylum support, when the review will be concluded; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Philp: We have been reviewing the level of the cash allowances provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, as we do each year to ensure that they remain capable of meeting their essential living needs. As a result of this work, the standard allowance has been raised to £39.60 per week from £37.75 per week, an increase of around 5%. The increase is significantly higher than the current general rate of inflation, which Office of National Statistics data shows was only 0.8% in the 12 months period to April 2020. Food inflation over the same period was only 1.4% and the data actually shows that, despite Covid-19, food prices fell between March to April 2020. In addition to asylum support payments, asylum seekers are provided with free accommodation, utilities are paid for, council tax is paid for, they have free access to the NHS and their children have free access to education.

Civil Partnerships: Fees and Charges

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance the Government has issued to registrars on the consistency of charges for performing civil partnership proceedings; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster: The fee for a statutory civil partnership formation is set in line with the fee for a statutory marriage ceremony, and is prescribed in the Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Fees) Regulations 2016. Local authorities are required to offer a statutory civil partnership, where this fee will apply. Local authorities may otherwise charge an additional fee for the civil partnership registrar’s attendance on approved premises. Guidance issued to local authorities sets out this additional fee should cover the cost of providing the service.

*No heading*

Ben Everitt: What steps her Department is taking to help protect victims of domestic abuse.

Victoria Atkins: Domestic abuse is a horrific crime that shatters the lives of those affected. The Home Office works closely with the domestic abuse organisations, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the police, to ensure that support is available to victims who need it and that perpetrators are brought to justice. Since 2018 the Home Office has provided £1.1m per year to help fund specialist helplines offering support in domestic abuse, honour-based abuse and stalking cases. A national awareness raising campaign has been launched to help direct victims to these sources of support. A further £3.1m has been provided this year, as a continuation of the Children Affected by Domestic abuse fund for specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse. Work is also underway to enhance perpetrator programmes and promote innovative approaches to preventing domestic abuse using £10m of funding. We are continuing with the passage of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, which started its Committee Stage on 4 June. This will further protect victims of domestic abuse and bring perpetrators to justice.

Aviation: Quarantine

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish a list of companies that sent representatives to the aviation industry meeting which discussed the 14-day quarantine on 4 June 2020; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster: The following companies attended the meeting:Airport Operators Association (AOA); Regional and Business Airports Group (RABA); Airlines UK; Board of Airline Representatives UK (BAR UK);  International Air Transport Association (IATA); Heathrow;  Gatwick; MAG;  Edinburgh;  Virgin Atlantic; EasyJet;  Jet2;  TUI; Swissport; Eurostar;  Eurotunnel;  Port of Dover;  UK Chamber of Shipping; Maritime UK; BPA;  UKMPG; RHA;  FTA;   The International Airlines Group were invited to attend, but they declined the invitation.

Overseas Students: Visas

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether international students who start their courses online due to the covid-19 outbreak and spend less than 11 months studying in the UK will be eligible for the graduate route visa.

Kevin Foster: The Graduate route will be introduced in the summer of 2021.We have been clear no migrant will be penalised due to circumstances outside their control related to Covid-19, including those who need to complete part of their courses online due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Marriage: Visas: Coronavirus

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to extend the fiancée visa for people who are unable to (a) give notice to marry and (b) marry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account. A fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner whose wedding or civil partnership is delayed due to Covid-19 can request an extension until 31 July by updating their records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team. (https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/ho_form.html) The family Immigration Rules allow for an extension of leave if there is good reason for a wedding or civil partnership not taking place during the initial six-month period of leave to enter. Restrictions on giving notice to marry or delay to a wedding or civil partnership due to Covid-19 will be considered a good reason under this policy. They may otherwise be eligible to remain on the basis of exceptional circumstances. These are unprecedented times and we may make further temporary adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate.

Visas: Musicians

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the challenges of the points-based immigration system for (a) musicians and promoters from the EU and (b) for musicians from the UK as a result of the stated intention of reciprocity between the UK and EU countries.

Kevin Foster: Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's creative sector. We have set out the Government’s plan to introduce a future points-based immigration system which will enable the most talented people from around the world to come to the UK in all parts of the economy, including the creative sector.

Visas: Arts

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) extending the three month concession for non-visa nationals using the Tier 5 Temporary Worker – Creative or Sporting route to six months and (b) allowing the Tier 5 route for multiple entries to the UK.

Kevin Foster: Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's creative sector. We have set out plans to introduce a future points-based immigration system which will enable these creative workers to come to the UK to perform and take part in events.There are a range of provisions for visiting artists, entertainers and musicians, each offering various lengths of leave suited to their individual needs. The Immigration Rules for creative workers already make provisions for multiple entries to the United Kingdom.

Visas: Musicians

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) extend the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) route from 30 days to 90 days to allow for longer tours and opera seasons for musicians and (b) allow the PPE route for multiple entries to the UK.

Kevin Foster: There are no plans to extend the Permitted Paid Engagement route from 30 days to 90 days. The PPE visit visa already allows, whilst valid, multiple entries to the UK Currently, visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for specific engagements, under the Visitor route. Artists wishing to come to the UK for longer-term work will need to do so under the points-based system. There will continue to be special arrangements for creative workers, which in future will encompass both EEA and non-EEA citizens.

Migrant Workers: Visas

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps UK Visas and Immigration is taking to reduce the time it takes to assess and issue a visa to foreign nationals seeking to work in the UK at short notice; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a short-term visa for last-minute employment.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will simplify the application process for visa applicants for the purposes of musical performances who have previously secured successful applications.

Kevin Foster: We continually review our global visa operation to improve performance and ensure value for money while maintaining excellent customer service. The Home Office's priority is to maintain a safe and secure border. Visas are only issued where an applicant meets the requirements of the UK's Immigration Rules and entry clearance applications are subject to an extensive range of mandatory and discretionary checks (including an applicant’s previous immigration history). In normal circumstances we can offer priority and super priority services, (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk); however, these were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some UK Visa Application Centres are reopening where local restrictions allow and where it is safe to do so, but ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services – including priority and super priority services – remain closed. This is under regular review, and we will resume normal services as soon as it is safe to do so. The Home Office set out proposals for the UK’s future Points-Based Immigration System in a Policy Statement published on 19 February: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-policy-statement. These proposals will transform the way in which all migrants come to the UK and will deliver a better customer experience.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether representatives of the business travel sector will be included in her Department's industry working group on helping to implement the 14 day quarantine for air passengers entering the UK during the covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Foster: The Home Secretary hosted an industry roundtable with the Aviation, Maritime and Security Minister on 4 June to discuss the health measures at the Border. This meeting was attended by representatives from all international travel modes.  The Department is now working with colleagues across HM Government on behalf of the Secretary of State to convene a second round table to further discuss the measures and our plans for reviewing these. Arrangements for this meeting, including attendees, have not yet been determined, but will be identified in due course.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Alberto Costa: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Latvian nationals have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme; and if her Department will provide a geographical breakdown by region of where those applications were made from.

Kevin Foster: The latest published figures show the total number of applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) received up to 30 April 2020 was more than 3.5 million (3,536,000), of which 99,800 were from Latvian nationals. The latest figures can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme monthly statistics’ available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics-april-2020Published information on EUSS applications by the applicant’s nationality, region and local authority in the United Kingdom (up to 31 March 2020), can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics’, local authority statistics tables, specifically table EUSS_LA_01, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-march-2020.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with members of the expatriate community that spend short periods of time in the UK when finalising the legislative proposals on the two week quarantine period for people returning to the UK during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: From 8 June, all passengers arriving in the UK without having travelled through another part of the Common Travel Area are required to self-isolate for 14 days, apart from those on a short list of exemptions. Those spending fewer than 14 days in the UK can depart again before the 14 days are complete. Communications have been set up to clarify these measures to all those coming to the UK. These are available at the border and on gov.uk.

Asylum: Northern Ireland

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring that relevant authorities are equipped to deal with a potential increase in the number of asylum seekers after the end of the transition period.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on plans to lift the current suspension on asylum case decision-making to ensure that (a) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Health Trusts and (b) other stakeholders are equipped to meet additional demand in the next six months.

Chris Philp: The Home Office have not currently suspended asylum case decision making. Following health advice and government guidance we temporarily suspected evictions for asylum seekers who had a decision on their claim and continued to support them. We have been engaging with the NI Executive on asylum matters through the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to do so. A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations and evictions is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other Government Departments and Stakeholders. We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.

Immigrants: Finance

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the instruction to caseworkers that was ordered to be published in paragraph 76(b) of the judgment of W&J v Secretary of State for the Home Department (CO/3036/2019).

Kevin Foster: Updated guidance to caseworkers containing this instruction was published on 29 May in line with paragraph 76(b) of the judgment of W&J v Secretary of State for the Home Department: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-life-as-a-partner-or-parent-private-life-and-exceptional-circumstance

Visas

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2020 to Question 51863 on Visas, whether she plans to introduce a further extension of visas for people that are unable to travel home after 31 July 2020.

Kevin Foster: Individuals who are in the UK legally and whose visa expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 can have their visa extended to 31 July 2020, if they cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus. This is being kept under regular review in case further extensions are necessary. The latest information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.

Asylum: Finance

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the suitability of the level of financial support for people in the asylum system during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: We have been reviewing the level of the cash allowances provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, as we do each year to ensure that they remain capable of meeting their essential living needs. As a result of this work, the standard allowance has been raised to £39.60 per week from £37.75 per week, an increase of around 5%. The increase is significantly higher than the current general rate of inflation, which Office of National Statistics data shows was only 0.8% in the 12 months period to April 2020. Food inflation over the same period was only 1.4% and the data actually shows that, despite Covid-19, food prices fell between March to April 2020. In addition to asylum support payments, asylum seekers are provided with free accommodation, utilities are paid for, council tax is paid for, they have free access to the NHS and their children have free access to education.

British Nationality: Assessments

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of enabling people to take the Life in the UK test virtually during the covid-19 pandemic

Kevin Foster: During Covid 19 we have been working closely with all our providers to restart the provision of our services. The knowledge of Life in the UK (LitUK) service reopened on 1st June 2020 in England only. This service recommenced with processes to ensure social distancing and health and safety measures are in place. Consideration of opening test sites in the rest of the United Kingdom is pending decisions by the individual devolved authorities. We have previously considered remote testing and prior to the award of the recent contract. Remote testing was not considered appropriate as anti-fraud measures have to be maintained at all times to protect the integrity of the test. We may however consider remote testing in the future as and when suitable technology is available and we are confident the integrity of tests can be maintained.

Protective Clothing: Production

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to representations on the (a) merits of onshoring during the covid-19 pandemic and (b) domestic production of personal protective equipment, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of adding textiles, garment and footwear workers to the Shortage Occupation List.

Kevin Foster: The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises the Government on which occupations are deemed in national shortage.We have commissioned the MAC to compile Shortage Occupation Lists covering all occupations encompassed by the new Skilled Worker route, for introduction from January 2021, and to keep the lists under regular review.The MAC has recently issued its call for evidence and we encourage all of those with an interest to contribute.

Overseas Students: Visas

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether international students who have to start their courses online as a result of the covid-19 outbreak will be eligible for the Graduate Route visa despite spending less time than is required physically in the UK under the terms of that visa.

Kevin Foster: The Graduate route will be introduced in the summer of 2021. We have been clear no migrant will be penalised due to circumstances outside their control related to Covid-19, including where they have had to start their courses online as a result.

Visas: Married People

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons guidance was removed from her Department's website that stated that non-EU spouses of British nationals would not be disadvantaged in their application for a spouse visa if they cannot meet their income requirement due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account. To ensure a spouse or partner applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:A temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to Covid-19, will be disregarded provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020.An applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.A temporary loss of annual income due to Covid-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account.Evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to Covid-19 restrictions. The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.These concessions are set out for customers on GOV.UK and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents. An earlier draft of the guidance was uploaded to GOV.UK, but was quickly replaced with the correct version, thereby ensuring our guidance is as clear as possible on how a spouse or partner will not be disadvantaged.

Visas: Married People

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that non-EU spouses of British nationals will not be disadvantaged in their application for a spouse visa if they cannot meet their income requirement due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account. To ensure a spouse or partner applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:A temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to Covid-19, will be disregarded provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020.An applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.A temporary loss of annual income due to Covid-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account.Evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to Covid-19 restrictions.These concessions are set out for customers on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with their cash savings.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what interim policy is in place to prevent the family members of Northern Ireland born citizens from being adversely affected by immigration controls before the opening of the EU settlement scheme to those applicants on 24 August 2020; and what arrangements are in place for people whose current visa expires before that date but who qualify for and intend to apply under that scheme that they will not be considered an overstayer.

Kevin Foster: The statement of changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 14 May will amend the EU Settlement Scheme so family members of the people of Northern Ireland can apply for immigration status on broadly the same terms as family members of Irish citizens. This delivers the commitment made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement which restored the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020. Family members of the people of Northern Ireland will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from 24 August. Family members of the people of Northern Ireland who cannot already apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and want to come to the UK or extend their current stay before 24 August can make an application under an existing immigration route.

Travel: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK during the covid-19 outbreak.

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions she has discussed the 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK during the covid-19 outbreak with the Secretary of State for Transport in an official capacity.

Kevin Foster: In developing the Public Health regulations which introduced the 14-day self-isolation requirement, and the exemptions to be applied, there were discussions between the Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Transport, as well as other Cabinet colleagues. These discussions took place through Cabinet meetings, including the General Public Sector Ministerial Implementation Group (GPSMIG), and further exchanges in developing the policy, exemptions to apply, and its announcement.

Visas: Applications

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the length of response times for decisions on visa applications.

Kevin Foster: Data on visa processing times, including the percentage and number of visas that are processed within service standards, is usually published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data. However, due to Covid-19, it has not been possible to prepare and quality assure all of the data tables which usually make up the publication. Priority has therefore been given to those with the highest degree of public interest. We anticipate that all Q1 2020 data will be published as part of the Q2 2020 publication in August. On 28 May the Home Office published a statistical report on the impact of Covid-19 on the immigration system, up to April 2020, which shows the impact on the visa system. This report can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-relating-to-covid-19-and-the-immigration-system-may-2020.

Home Office: Secondment

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of her Department's work force has been seconded to other departments during the covid-19 outbreak.

James Brokenshire: Based on the central data we hold, the Home Office has deployed 431 people to other government departments to support COVID-19 work. At 10 June 2020, this represents 1.23% of the workforce.

Home Office: Overseas Aid

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she last met the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance spending.

Priti Patel: Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Immigrants: Detainees

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has completed their review of every person detained under immigration powers in relation to the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people in immigration detention have been (a) released and (b) granted bail without submitting a bail application as a result of reviews during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many adults in immigration detention are classified as (a) adults at risk, (b) clinically vulnerable, and (c) extremely clinically vulnerable.

Chris Philp: All individuals in detention from 23 March were reviewed to see if they were at a heightened risk from COVID-19, following guidance setting out the action that case workers should take in response to COVID-19. This reflected Public Health England guidance issued on 16 March 2020.  Detained cases have continued to be reviewed in light of updated guidance, and in accordance with detention guidance and known country situations. The Government published statistics relating to COVID-19 and the immigration system on gov.uk, on 28 May and the latest Immigration Statistics publication includes the numbers of individuals detained under immigration powers in prisons.

Detention Centres: Hygiene

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of availability of adequate hygiene facilities in immigration removal centres.

Chris Philp: The safety and health of people in the detention estate are of the utmost importance. We are following all Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 and have robust contingency plans in place, including measures such as shielding and use of personal protective equipment. Basic hygiene is a key part of tackling COVID-19. Handwashing facilities are available in all immigration removal centres and we are working closely with suppliers to ensure we have an adequate supply of soap and cleaning materials. The arrangements in place are subject to regular review by Home Office staff and suppliers at each IRC. In addition, each centre has posters and leaflets to inform staff and detainees about the importance of handwashing and social distancing to minimise the risk from COVID-19. Detainees are also able to speak to staff directly for advice on the protective measures in place. Guidance on managing COVID-19 in immigration removal centres was published on gov.uk on 5 June https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-removal-centres. As of 12 June 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.

Wales Office

Coronavirus: Wales

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that there is close co-operation between the UK and Welsh Governments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Simon Hart: The UK Government has worked hand in hand with the Welsh Government in our response to Covid-19, including through the COBR Ministerial Committee and the Ministerial Implementation Groups, totalling 116 engagements since the start of the crisis. I have suggested to the First Minister of Wales that this level of co-operation could be even closer if the Parliamentary Under-Secretary or I were able to attend meetings of the Welsh Government’s Covid-19 Core Ministerial Group. We will continue to work closely with all the devolved administrations to ensure the most effective measures are in place in all parts of the UK. Where there are differences in the approach between Wales and England, it is vital that the rationale is founded on robust evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the border.

Wales Office: Carers

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff in his Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

David T C Davies: The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) is not an employer in its own right. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provide employment services on our behalf. We are fully committed to supporting staff who are carers, but do not hold information on the number of staff who have caring responsibilities. The Department follows MoJ polices by offering a range of flexible working options to staff with caring responsibilities, enabling them to work in a way which best suits them. These include special leave, term-time working, job shares and compressed hours. Staff also have access to MoJ networks for carers.

Cabinet Office

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Justin Madders: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse is of the Government's All together advertising campaign.

Chloe Smith: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 35512 on 21 April 2020.

Coronavirus: Death

Catherine West: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people that died in (a) care homes and (b) the community that had their deaths classified as non-covid-19 related had post-mortems to confirm that classification since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.



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Newspaper Press: Coronavirus

Naz Shah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on advertisements in print newspapers during the covid-19 outbreak; which newspapers have received sponsored content from the Government during the outbreak; and what criteria the Government uses to determine which newspapers will receive such sponsored advertisements.

Chloe Smith: I refer the Hon. Member to the answers given to PQ 45535 on 18 May 2020 and to PQ 46692 on 29 May 2020.

Employment: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have been employed on a full-time basis in Linlithgow and East Falkirk in each year since 2015.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.



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Amit Patel

David Linden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the dates of the meetings between Government Ministers and Amit Patel held in (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018, (d) 2019 and (e) 2020.

Chloe Smith: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

Self-employed: Falkirk

John McNally: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people declared themselves as self-employed in each of the last three years in Falkirk constituency.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.



UKSA Response 
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Treasury

Arts: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives in the arts sector on the continuation of the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (b) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for businesses that are unable to re-open as a result of Government guidance on social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: During this difficult time the Treasury is working intensively with employers, delivery partners, industry groups and other Government departments to understand the long-term effects of social distancing across all key areas of the economy. For example, on 11 June the Chancellor attended a roundtable with TUC and other unions, including Prospect and Equity. The Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on businesses and sectors like Arts and Creative Industries. That is why the Chancellor introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).On 12 May, the Government announced a major extension to the CJRS which will continue to the end of October, including more flexibility and employer contributions from August as people return to work. On 29 May, the Chancellor announced an extension to the SEISS, which continues to be one of the most generous self-employed Covid-19 support schemes in the world as the economy reopens. This extension means that eligible individuals whose businesses are adversely affected by Covid-19 will be able to claim a second and final grant when the scheme reopens for applications in August. Decisions on Government schemes are based on all available evidence, including the latest public health guidance.The Treasury will continue to monitor the impact of Government support with regard to supporting public services, businesses, individuals, and sectors such as arts and creative industries, and welcome views from representatives.

Business: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what process his Department has in place to ensure that local authorities adhere to Government guidance on the distribution of grants to businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government has provided Local Authorities with detailed guidance and FAQs to support them in distributing Small Business Grants, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants, and Discretionary Grants to eligible businesses. In addition, BEIS has conducted periodic live streams with the 314 Local Authorities administering the schemes, to highlight any additions to the guidance and to allow Local Authorities to ask questions, which in turn are captured in the FAQs. BEIS has an active Working Group of Local Authorities, the LGA, CIPFA and IRRV that is a forum for testing how a range of Local Authorities are applying the guidance in practice. It is up to Local Authorities to apply the guidance on these grants.

Manufacturing Industries: Coronavirus

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to (a) encourage and (b) support (i) Rolls-Royce and (ii) other similar manufacturing industries to help (A) retain their workforce and (B) prevent mass redundancies in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government regularly speaks with automotive companies and has worked closely with Rolls Royce in response to COVID-19. Rolls Royce is making use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and has drawn £300m of short-term finance from the Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has so far protected 8.9 million workers and 1.1 million businesses through this crisis (as at midnight 7th June 2020). All UK employers can apply for a grant that covers 80% of furloughed employees’ usual monthly wage costs, up to £2500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions. This scheme is available to support 28.5m employees paid via PAYE across the UK. This is a temporary scheme in place for 8 months starting from 1 March and ending at the end of October. In addition, we are supporting businesses, by offering Government-backed finance through the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loans, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, and the Bounce Back Loans scheme, depending on the size of the company. Where firms make the decision that they cannot retain all of their staff over the longer run, we are ensuring that those looking for work are supported through a significant package of temporary welfare measures. This includes: £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1bn increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants. These changes will benefit all new and existing claimants.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Kingston upon Hull

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in Hull are registered with HMRC as being on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in Hull in each tax bracket are registered with HMRC as being on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: Claims made up until and including 31 May under the Coronavirus Job Retention Programme, have supported 31,900 furloughed employments where the employee is resident within the area of the City of Kingston upon Hull Unitary Authority. This is the total number of employments furloughed at any time since the start of the scheme. Within this figure one person could be furloughed for more than one job. Further information on this statistic is available from the HMRC publication, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Official Statistics. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-june-2020 It has not been possible to break this number down further by tax bracket within the time available.

Food: Wholesale Trade

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the hospitality, retail and leisure grants to the wholesale food and drink sector.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government recognises that this is a very challenging time for businesses in a wide variety of sectors. Small businesses occupying properties for retail, hospitality or leisure purposes are likely to be particularly affected by COVID-19 due to their reliance on customer footfall, and the fact that they are less likely than larger businesses to have sufficient cash reserves to meet their high fixed property-related costs. The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) is intended to help small businesses in this situation. Local Authorities (LAs) can choose to make discretionary grants to businesses in supply chains, like the wholesale food and drink sector, if they feel there is a particular local economic need. The Government has allocated up to an additional £617 million to LAs to enable them to give discretionary grants. While food and drink wholesalers are not one of the priority groups which Government has asked LAs to focus on, LAs may choose to make payments to businesses outside of these priority groups if they feel there is a local economic need to do so, so long as the business was trading on 11th March, and has not received any other cash grant funded by central Government (with the exception of grants from the SEISS). Small businesses which are not eligible for business grants should still be able to benefit from other elements of the Government’s unprecedented package of support. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.

Imports: Israel

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many requests for information have been raised by HM Revenue and Customs with the Israeli Customs Authorities to establish whether consignments have been imported from (a) Israel and (b) Israeli settlements under the technical arrangements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in each of the last three years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many consignments of agricultural produce imported from Israel and claiming preference under the EU-Israel Association Agreement have been checked by HM Revenue and Customs to ensure they did not originate in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in each of the last three years.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what documentary information is required under the technical arrangements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement for goods entering the UK from Israel to enable differentiation between goods produced within Israel’s internationally recognised borders and Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

James Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the import of (a) fresh fruit, (b) vegetables and (c) dairy products from Israel, what checks are made by HMRC to ensure that the place of origin given on the certificate of marketing standards is consistent with the post codes given on the relevant invoice/EUR1.

Jesse Norman: Under the technical arrangement of the EU-Israel Association Agreement a proof of preferential origin document is required that must contain the postal code and the name of the city, village or industrial zone in which the goods were produced. Where HMRC’s risk assessment indicates that the goods may have been produced in non-eligible locations, HMRC perform physical examinations of goods or check proof documents. HMRC refuse preference where the goods cannot be shown to be produced in an eligible location. HMRC can also request that the Israeli Customs Authorities verify the accuracy of the information provided on the proof of preferential origin document. HMRC raised verification requests with the Israeli Customs Authorities to confirm that claims to preferential tariff treatment were made in compliance with the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the technical arrangement on: 17 occasions in 201710 occasions in 2018, and7 occasions in 2019. The number of agricultural consignments imported from Israel claiming preferential tariff treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and checked by HMRC was: 52 in 201770 in 2018, and29 in 2019 In accordance with the terms of EU-Israel Association Agreement and the technical arrangement, when confirming eligibility to preferential treatment, HMRC should only verify the details on the preferential proof of origin. A certificate of marketing standards is not a preferential proof of origin.

Net Zero Review

Alex Norris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to include a cost-benefit analysis of a green covid-19 economic recovery plan in his review of funding for the transition to a net zero greenhouse gas economy; and what the timescale is for that review.

Kemi Badenoch: The Coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced in decades. We will assess the impacts of potential interventions against their contribution to our environmental goals, including our climate change and air quality targets. The Government remains committed to tackling climate change, and meeting our Net Zero target. Information on the Net Zero Review can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-review-terms-of-reference.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Maternity Leave

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has carried out an equality impact assessment of the 10 June 2020 cut-off date for accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in relation to women currently on maternity leave; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: HM Treasury carefully considers the equality impacts of individual policies on those with protected characteristics, including gender, in line with both its legal obligations and its strong commitment to equality issues. On 9 June, the Government announced that parents returning to work in the coming months, including women currently on maternity leave, will be eligible for furlough scheme even after 10 June cut-off date.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of α-Bromobenzeneacetonitrile, known as Bromobenzyl cyanide that was exported to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this information monthly as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of a-Bromobenzene acetonitrile (known as Bromobenzyl cyanide) from other exports of other Nitrile function compounds classified under commodity code 29269070. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29269070 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of [2-chlorophenyl) methylene] propanedinitrile, o-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile; exported to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this information monthly as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of [(2-chlorophenyl) methylene] propanedinitrile, o-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile from other exports of other Nitrile function compounds classified under commodity code 29269070. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29269070 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of 2-Chloro-1-phenylethanone, Phenylacyl chloride, ω-chloroacetophenone exported to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. Unfortunately, the trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of 2-Chloro-1-phenylethanone, Phenylacyl chloride, Chloroacetophenone from exports of other organic ketones and quinone chemicals classified under commodity code 29147900. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29147900 and the periods requested on our uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of Dibenz-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine exported to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this information monthly, as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of Dibenz-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine from other exports of other nucleic acids and their salts and other heterocyclic compounds classified under commodity code 29349990. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29349990 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of 10-Chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine, Phenarsazine chloride, (Adamsite) exported to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this information monthly, as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of 10-Chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine, Phenarsazine chloride, (Adamsite) from other exports of other nucleic acids and their salts and other heterocyclic compounds classified under commodity code 29349990. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29349990 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of N-Nonanoylmorpholine exported to end users in US law enforcement in the last five years.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this information monthly as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics. The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of N-Nonanoylmorpholine from other exports of other nucleic acids and their salts and other heterocyclic compounds classified under commodity code 29349990. However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under commodity code 29349990 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Arts

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make available support provided by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for workers, such as those employed in post-production in the creative industries, whose employment will not be impacted by the covid-19 outbreak until later in the year once their pre-existing projects have been completed.

Jesse Norman: The Government is aware that different employers and sectors will face different challenges in getting up and running again. However, it would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus. It is the case that some firms will be affected by coronavirus for longer than others, and the Government will seek to support these firms, and their workers, appropriately.The CJRS is just one form of support on offer to employers and employees during this difficult period. The Government will continue to engage with businesses and representative groups with the aim of ensuring that the support provided is right for individual sectors and for the economy as a whole.

Visas: Turkey

Kate Osamor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have been issued to applicants that hold a Turkish Businessperson visa.

Jesse Norman: Applications for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opened on 13 May. By 11 June 2020, HMRC had received:2.1m claims representing a total of £6.1bn in England;146k claims representing a total of £425m in Scotland;102k claims representing a total of £273m in Wales; and69k claims representing a total of £198m in Northern Ireland. HMRC have published tables showing the number of individuals claiming the SEISS by 31 May 2020 which can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/self-employment-income-support-scheme-statistics-june-2020. HMRC do not hold data on whether SEISS applicants hold a Turkish Businessperson visa and so cannot provide this information.

Third Sector: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether people who work for the charity, voluntary and community sector organisations who have been furloughed may return to their places of work in a volunteering capacity whilst still receiving the support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: The purpose of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to support people who would otherwise have been made redundant. To prevent fraudulent claims, the Government made clear that individuals cannot work or volunteer for their organisation. This also serves to protect employees. If the Government allowed workers to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to effectively work full time whilst only paying them 80% of the wages. These wages would also be paid at the Government’s expense, and therefore an abuse of the system. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are working with other Government departments and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector to identify areas where volunteers can contribute to the Covid-19 response.On 8 April, the Chancellor announced a £750m support package for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. £360m will be allocated by central Government to charities in England based on evidence of service need. £370m will support smaller, local charities working with vulnerable people.

International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to repeal the International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020 after the end of the transition period.

Jesse Norman: The International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020 implement an EU Directive known as DAC 6. The UK is obliged to implement this Directive during the transition period. The Government will keep the Regulations under review. Further legislative action may be appropriate in light of the outcome of negotiations with the EU on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The Government remains committed to tax transparency and will continue to apply international standards on transparency and exchange of information.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Sir David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to provide financial support to self-employed people who are ineligible for the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (b) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and who cannot access (i) universal credit and (ii) self-employment income support.

Jesse Norman: Self-employed individuals who are ineligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), may be able to benefit from the other elements of the unprecedented financial support provided by the Government. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants.

Markets: Non-domestic Rates

Apsana Begum: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether market traders who occupy sub-leases will be given compensation for business rates paid by their landlord included in their rent.

Jesse Norman: Business rates relief is provided to the relevant ratepayer. In cases where the ratepayer is the landlord, it is for them and their tenants to resolve how that is distributed. The Government is aware that some small businesses have found themselves excluded from the existing business rates relief and grants schemes because of the way they interact with the business rates system. That is why the Government has allocated up to an additional £617 million to Local Authorities to enable them to give discretionary grants to businesses in this situation.

Local Government: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which local authorities have furloughed workers to date; and how many workers have been furloughed by each of those local authorities.

Jesse Norman: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 11 June. As with the answer of 11 June (UIN 55864) it is not possible to provide an answer in the time available. In addition, in order to protect the confidentiality of individual organisations’ tax affairs HMRC are unable to provide information on individual local authorities.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Stella Creasy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has to support workers who are diagnosed with a condition that makes them extremely clinically vulnerable to covid-19 after the 10 June 2020 cut-off date for an employer to decide to furlough staff under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public health guidance can be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). However, such an employee can only continue to be furloughed from 1 July if they have previously been furloughed, for any reason, for at least 3 consecutive weeks taking place any time between 1 March and 30 June. The Government has set out an unprecedented package of financial support to help the country through the coronavirus pandemic. Closing the scheme to new entrants is necessary for a gradual closure of the scheme. The focus is now on bringing those currently furloughed back into productive employment. CJRS is only one part of the support offered to shielded people, which also includes help with accessing food, medicines and care, alongside financial support through Statutory Sick Pay and the welfare system. Further details about the future of shielding are due to be announced the week commencing 15 June.

Aviation: Non-domestic Rates

Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the aviation industry on business rates relief.

Jesse Norman: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of stakeholders across sectors as part of ongoing policy development and implementation. Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport are in regular contact with airlines, airports and unions to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector and its workers.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the difficulties caused to businesses of the further guidance on the flexible furlough scheme being published after the cut-off date for an employee to be placed on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: The announcement on 29 May provided the key information required for firms to make decisions about furloughing employees. Full information on how the scheme will change from 1 July has been available in published factsheets since the Chancellor announced the changes. The guidance was updated on 12 June only to provide additional detail on how the scheme will operate in practice.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

5G

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a) current and (b) planned 5G networks are (i) safety-related and (ii) safety-critical networks in Critical National Infrastructure and (iii) security-critical network functions.

Matt Warman: It is not possible to quantify the proportion of current and planned 5G networks that are safety-related, safety-critical networks and security-critical network functions.Safety-related and safety-critical networks in non-telecoms Critical National Infrastructure do not relate to public 5G networks.Security-critical network functions in the 5G network relate to the sensitive ‘core’ of the mobile network. As no public networks have deployed a 5G core, it is not possible to calculate what proportion of the current 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’. Commercial decisions on the design and make-up of future 5G networks rests with the individual operators. It is therefore not possible to calculate what proportion of planned 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’.

Local Broadcasting: Radio

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a sustainable future for local radio.

Mr John Whittingdale: While radio stations across the UK are reporting increasing numbers of listeners tuning in to their broadcasts, many of these stations are operating against the backdrop of a rapid fall in advertising and other revenues due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Commercial radio stations have been able to take advantage of some of the unprecedented support measures that have been introduced across the wider economy, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme. However, we acknowledge that commercial radio also faces some sector-specific pressures. We are pleased that an agreement has now been reached with Arqiva that will result in a significant reduction in annual transmission costs for local commercial stations that use Arqiva’s services, and have worked with industry during this crisis to support efforts to reduce other costs. We note in particular the help secured by Radiocentre in the form of reduced music licensing payments to reflect the fall in stations’ revenues, and Ofcom’s announcement relaxing its enforcement of licensees’ programming and production requirements, which has been extended to December. We have also worked with Ofcom to release emergency funding, through the Community Radio Fund, to help community radio stations continue to provide programming and outreach projects for the communities they serve. Ofcom announced details of 81 awards on 4 June. We note that Ofcom plan to begin advertising small-scale multiplex licences later this year, which will provide a lower-cost digital transmission option for smaller stations, and we will shortly be publishing our response to our consultation on analogue commercial radio licences. We will continue to liaise with stakeholders across the industry regarding ways in which the Government can reduce regulatory burdens further to support radio through Covid-19 and beyond.

Internet: Safety

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on online harms.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government is committed to making the UK the safest place to be online. DCMS and the Home Office are working at pace to develop the legislation. We will publish a full government response later this year, and legislation will be ready this session.

Literature: Irish Language and Welsh Language

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to promote Gaelic and Welsh language literature in the UK.

Caroline Dinenage: Culture is a devolved matter so promoting Gaelic and Welsh language literature in the UK is a matter for the relevant devolved administration. DCMS does, however, work to support minority languages through its work on the creative industries strand of the British Irish Council. This includes working with devolved administrations to support minority languages, to share best practice, and to nurture more diverse UK audiences, including through minority language publications.

Leisure and Sports: Coronavirus

Sir Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department has issued to indoor sports and leisure activity providers on the safe reopening of instructing facilities for (a) snow sports and (b) indoor rock-climbing during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Huddleston: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 12 June 2020.The correct answer should have been:

There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures erected in London. Indoor sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting people to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities, including snow sports and indoor rock climbing facilities, as soon as it is safe to do so.  We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown measures are eased.  As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston: There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures erected in London. Indoor sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting people to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities, including snow sports and indoor rock climbing facilities, as soon as it is safe to do so.  We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown measures are eased.  As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Internet: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of people in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency who do not have access to the internet.

Matt Warman: The House of Commons Library produces an analysis of Ofcom Connected Nations data at constituency level: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/science/technology/constituency-data-broadband-coverage-and-speeds/. For the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk it shows that: 91% of the constituency is classified as urban and 9% is rural.Within urban areas, 0.2% of premises are unable to receive decent broadband whilst 97% can receive superfast broadband.Within the rural areas, 10% of premises are unable to receive decent broadband whilst 83% can receive superfast broadband.Decent broadband is classified by Ofcom as at least 10Mbps.Superfast broadband is classified by Ofcom as at least 30Mbps.The three areas with the poorest connectivity are Braes Villages, Carse & Grangemouth Old Town and Linlithgow South. The Scottish Government is running the Reaching 100 (R100) programme to ensure that all premises in Scotland can access at least superfast speeds. In lieu of that, DCMS operates the UK-wide Rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme which provides up to £1,500 for rural homes and up to £3,500 for rural small businesses/sole traders to contribute towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable connectivity. Furthermore, premises currently unable to receive at least 10Mbps could potentially qualify for the Universal Service Obligation (USO) which Ofcom launched in March 2020.

Digital Technology: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to promote digital inclusion in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency (a) in general and (b) for hard to reach groups who have never accessed online content.

Caroline Dinenage: Skills policy, including digital inclusion is a devolved matter. This is something that Scottish Ministers should be able to provide more information on.

Tourism: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the (a) overseas and (b) internal tourist trade; and what support he plans to provide to (i) York and (ii) other cities which are dependent on tourism.

Nigel Huddleston: We are aware that COVID-19 has significantly impacted the tourism industry. We remain in regular contact with outbound and domestic tourism stakeholders to closely monitor COVID-19’s economic effect on UK tourism, and continuously assess the impact. We have supported Destination Management Organisations - including in Yorkshire - to continue their vital business support roles via a £1.3 million VisitEngland scheme. Two Yorkshire Destination Management Organisations (Make it York and Welcome to Yorkshire) have combined received over £40,000 in support from the VisitEngland scheme. My Department has launched the Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors to safely reopen. To inform this taskforce, I chair a Visitor Economy Working Group which specifically focuses on developing guidance for restarting tourism activity. We will continue to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively support tourism’s recovery in cities across the country. We are actively considering all the recovery ideas suggested to us by stakeholders.

Broadband: North East Derbyshire

Lee Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of properties have access to superfast broadband in North East Derbyshire constituency.

Matt Warman: According to the independent body Thinkbroadband, currently 96.39% of premises in North East Derbyshire constituency have access to superfast broadband - up from 37% in 2013. 26.6% of premises have access to gigabit broadband. Only 1% of premises in North East Derbyshire constituency have access to less than 2Mbps.

Local Broadcasting: Radio

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many community radio stations have been awarded grants through the Community Radio Fund since its creation.

Mr John Whittingdale: The Community Radio Fund was set up in 2005 and has an annual budget of £400,000, which is used to help support community radio stations across the UK. It is administered by Ofcom, and applications are assessed by an independent panel. Information on all grants provided via the Community Radio Fund prior to the financial year 2020-21, including the recipients, the amount of funding awarded to each, and the posts and projects that have been supported, can be found on Ofcom’s website (from 2018 to date) and the National Archives (pre-2014 and 2014-2018). For the financial year 2020-21, given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector, the Community Radio Fund is being used to provide stations with an emergency source of funding to help them to meet urgent liabilities and to keep themselves in business. Given the sensitive commercial nature of this situation, it has been agreed between the Government, Ofcom and the Community Media Association (the representative body for the sector) that the names of the supported stations and the amount that each has received will not be disclosed.

5G: Health Hazards

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what research his Department has commissioned on the effect of 5G technology on (a) older people and (b) young children.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of electro magnetic frequency radiation from 5G technology on (a) physical health and (b) mental health.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effects of the high frequency of signals from 5G technology on (a) babies, (b) young people and (c) animals.

Matt Warman: Electromagnetic radiation is not new and research on the topic has found no credible evidence that radio waves, including those from 5G, have an impact on public health, including that of the elderly, young people, children and babies. Government is guided by Public Health England’s (PHE) independent advice, who are committed along with Ofcom to continually monitoring and assessing the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies. Central to PHE’s advice are the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation and its guidelines underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels. Ofcom continues to monitor the levels of electromagnetic radiation near mobile base stations, and in all cases, including the recent measurements taken near 5G-enabled base stations, the levels recorded were well below the limits for general public exposure outlined by the ICNIRP Guidelines. The highest level recorded was approximately 1.5% of these guidelines. While a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within guidelines and is anticipated to have no consequence for public health. With regard to animals, electromagnetic radiation has the potential to impact insect movement, but there is currently no evidence that human-made electromagnetic radiation has population level impacts on insects. In 2015, UK researchers were involved in a major global review of the status and threats to wild and managed insect pollinators for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In their report, the team of leading scientists did not identify mobile phone signals as significant threats to insect populations.

Broadband: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many superfast fixed broadband lines there were in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in the latest year for which data is available.

Matt Warman: Utilising Ofcom’s Connected Nations Data (Spring 2020), the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk has 53,846 fixed broadband lines with speeds above 30Mbps available. This represents 95.7% of all premises within the constituency. It also shows that whilst that figure represents availability of at least 30Mbps, the average download speed is actually 62.1Mbps.

Charities: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the ability of charities working with BAME communities to access the Government's £350 million support for charities.

Mr John Whittingdale: DCMS and the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF - our distribution partners for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund) have been - and continue to - engage extensively with BAME organisations during the development of the response and are working with a number of organisations to improve the reach of the Coronavirus Community Support Fund. A diverse advisory panel has been set up to assist in the distribution process for the fund. DCMS will continue to work closely to assess how we can support BAME charities and social enterprises in doing their important work. The Minister for Civil Society holds a fortnightly roundtable to hear directly from BAME civil society organisations to highlight concerns and responses to Covid-19. DCMS will continue to work closely to assess how we can support BAME charities and social enterprises in doing their important work. We have published clear and comprehensive guidance on the £750 million, plus other sources of support, athttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19. This is a package of emergency response to help groups in need and to provide other essential services. It builds on the significant package of support available across sectors, including the Job Retention Scheme.

Mass Media: Coronavirus

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support package he plans to provide to (a) newspapers and (b) media outlets more widely in response to the covid-19 outbreak, and whether conditions will be attached to that funding.

Mr John Whittingdale: Media outlets across the UK are facing existential pressures due to the impacts of Covid-19. The government remains in regular dialogue with stakeholders across the media sectors regarding ways in which this can be mitigated, in addition to the unprecedented package of nationwide support announced by the Chancellor. In terms of newspapers in particular, the government has provided specific support to publishers during the crisis. The government has clarified that all journalists, including broadcast journalists, and other ancillary staff, are ‘key workers’ for the purposes of access to childcare and educational places. The government also issued guidance to local authorities on the importance of newspaper delivery, which has been critical to the continued dissemination of public interest news. The government has also sought to maximise newspapers’ advertising opportunities by implementing a public information campaign to ensure the distribution of authoritative, up-to-date information about Covid-19, while also alleviating publishers’ financial pressures. The current partnership brings together over 600 titles across the UK, the vast majority of which are local papers. As with any media planning approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy. For online media outlets, the government has taken steps to ensure the use of ‘keyword blocklisting’ technology is not inadvertently damaging any news publishers’ online advertising revenues for Covid-19 related stories. Additionally, the Chancellor brought forward the commencement of zero-rating of VAT on all e-newspapers in order to bring savings to readers and support digital publishing. The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is in regular dialogue with stakeholders about ensuring the support offered is as effective and fair as it can be. Ministers are engaging with broadcasters (both TV and radio) and news publishers on a regular basis to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on their day to day operations, and how the government can support them. The government will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism.

Museums and Galleries: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support he is providing to (a) Newcastle’s Discovery Centre and (b) other regional museums to help ensure that they are able to survive the covid-19 lockdown.

Caroline Dinenage: Museums are supported by over £200 million in emergency packages from DCMS arm’s-length bodies. As part of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Newcastle Discovery Centre is eligible to bid for the £90 million emergency fund provided by ACE for the national portfolio. National Portfolio Organisations have also been able to benefit from drawing down quarterly funding in advance. As well as the culture and heritage-specific support, many regional museums are eligible for the UK’s world-class package of support, including through the Job Retention Scheme and the availability of grants of up to £25,000 to leisure businesses, including museums operating from smaller premises, through the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. The Government continues to monitor the impact of these and other measures. My department is in constant contact with sector bodies and museums directly, including the Director of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums as a representative of the National Museum Directors’ Council and English Civic Museums Network, to assess impacts and understand the need for support for the sector in response to COVID-19.

Broadband

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support is offered to gigabit capable broadband operators when a landlord charges excessive wayleave fees to discourage deployment.

Matt Warman: The Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) regulates the legal relationships (including wayleave agreements) between site providers and operators of electronic communications networks (known as Code Operators) to support the rollout and maintenance of communications infrastructure. The Code was substantially revised as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to make it cheaper and easier for telecommunications operators to deploy their networks at pace. Rights to install infrastructure on private land are subject to an agreement being made with the landowner. Most agreements are reached on a consensual basis, but where this cannot be achieved, or where disputes arise, the Code allows either party to apply to a court for resolution of the disputed matter, i.e. by the imposition of an agreement. The revised Code changed the basis on which access to land is valued when an agreement is imposed to a ‘no scheme’ system. Paragraph 24 of the revised Code makes clear that when assessing the consideration payable by an operator, the court must do so on the assumption of no additional value relating to the provision or use of an electronic communications network, when they are imposing an agreement. This is expected to reduce operator costs and encourage investment in infrastructure rollout. Government expects that operators and landlords will negotiate in good faith and hopes that, in most cases, agreements will be reached on a consensual basis. However, if a landlord is seeking to charge an operator excessive fees, it is open to the operator to apply to the court for an agreement to be imposed in appropriate circumstances. Any order made to this effect will cover the price that must be paid to the landlord, and will be based on the statutory valuation regime, which is specifically designed to prevent “ransom” pricing.

Hotels: Coronavirus

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish guidance on when (a) hotel and  (b) resort spas will be permitted to re-open during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston: My Department has been working closely with the sector, including UKHospitality, through the Visitor Economy Working Group to produce guidance on the reopening of the tourism sector. This will include guidance on hotels and other forms of accommodation. This guidance will be published shortly. We will look at opening forms of holiday accommodation in Step 3 of the Government’s recovery strategy, currently planned for 4 July at the earliest. This will be subject to the further scientific advice and the latest risk assessment at the time. We remain in regular contact with hotel stakeholders through the Visitor Economy Working Group and the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group. The Government is committed to reopening sports and physical activity facilities as soon as it is safe to do so. We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown measures are eased.

House of Commons Commission

House of Commons: Equipment

John Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason the House procured mouse mats made in Italy for distribution to Members; and whether UK manufacturers were invited to tender for that contract.

Pete Wishart: The Digital Service requested the procurement of 2000 cyber-security mouse mats in late February/early March. These were posted to Members along with an information booklet on working safely from home. Efforts have been made to make the procurement of such merchandise more sustainable and ‘locally’ produced wherever possible. Over the course of the cyber security campaigns, the majority of our budget has gone towards UK-based procurement.The cyber-security mouse mats were procured under Lot 2 Promotional category of the Print Framework FWK1120. A mini tender took place within the Promotional category for this job and was awarded to the supplier which best met the customer’s requirements. All our awarded promotional suppliers under this Lot are UK based but they can subcontract under the terms and conditions using verified and trusted sub-contractors. Their subcontractors are not limited to being just UK based and the materials and items can be imported substrates or manufactured abroad at its entirety. Our Promotional suppliers use and have a mix of both UK and overseas subcontractors. Under the terms of the UK Procurement Regulations 2015, it is of course unlawful to discriminate positively in favour of UK suppliers.

Parliamentary Estate: Art Works

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what percentage of art on display on the Parliamentary Estate is from (a) BAME, (b) LGBTQ+, (c) disabled and d) female artists.

Pete Wishart: This information is not currently held.In future the form which is sent to all contactable artists whose work is added to the Parliamentary Art Collection collecting their personal information will be amended to allow them to declare any protected characteristics they wish to provide. This information will be added to the searchable database which holds information on all works of art in the Collection.

Parliamentary Estate: Art Works

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether guidance has been issued to staff procuring art for display on the Parliamentary Estate encouraging them to choose pieces from (a) BAME, (b) LGBTQ+, (c) female and (d) disabled artists; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The acquisition of artworks to the Parliamentary Art Collection is decided upon by the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art.It has been a focus of the Committee’s work over the past 15 or so years to actively improve diversity in the Collection, both in terms of the artworks and the artists represented. The curatorial staff work to enable this aspiration to be achieved by the Committee.Recent examples of this focus are the acquisition of a bust of Olaudah Equiano, a commissioned portrait of Bernie Grant MP and works from the ‘209 Women’ project, all of which are on display in Portcullis House (Atrium and first floor corridor).A new Committee has just been appointed and will be considering this matter further as they review policies and collecting priorities.

Parliamentary Estate: Art Works

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, the amount spent on art on display on the Parliamentary Estate in the last five years broken down by (a) gender and (b) ethnicity.

Pete Wishart: This answer applies to the House of Commons expenditure only.The Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art has spent £400,500 on acquiring art over the last five financial years. Of that figure 47% was spent on acquiring art which documented women’s history and 6.8% on art documenting BAME history.

Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Right hon. Member for East Hampshire representing the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body, with reference to the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal press release published on 19 May 2020, what the names are of the people appointed to the expert team to examine the plans for the restoration.

Damian Hinds: On 19 May the Sponsor Body announced it would conduct a strategic review of the Restoration and Renewal Programme.The review team will be led by the chief executives of the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Sarah Johnson and David Goldstone, who will be supported by infrastructure and programme management experts drawn from both organisations. The chairs of the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Liz Peace and Mike Brown, will also provide input.As the review progresses input and challenge will be sought from within Parliament and externally.The review is expected to conclude in the autumn and its findings will be considered by the Sponsor Body Board and the Commissions of both Houses in the first instance.

Women and Equalities

Equal Pay

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) extend the 2017 gender pay reporting framework to include reporting on the (i) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) LGBT pay gap, (b) extend pay gap reporting requirements to companies with more than 100 employees, (c) mandate horizontal pay reporting and (d) require companies with pay gaps to publish an evidence-based action plan to tackle (A) pay discrimination and (B) any failure to actively recruit under-represented groups to high value roles.

Kemi Badenoch: Pay gaps are caused by a range of factors. The Government ran a consultation from October 2018 to January 2019 on Ethnicity Pay Reporting, which received over 300 responses. The Government has met with businesses and representative organisations to understand the barriers towards reporting and what information could be published to allow for meaningful action to be taken. We have also run voluntary methodology testing with a broad range of businesses to better understand the complexities outlined in the consultation using real payroll data and will share next steps in due course.Calculation and monitoring of disability and LGBT pay gaps raises significant issues of self-reporting and data accuracy and this data is not widely collected by employers. On disability, the Government is committed to reducing the disability employment gap and seeing a million more disabled people in work between 2017 and 2027. We support disabled people to enter employment and stay in work through a range of programmes such as the Work and Health Programme, Access to Work and the Intensive Personalised Employment Support Programme. In November 2018 we also published a voluntary reporting framework on public reporting of pay and progression of disabled people. This is aimed at employers (with over 250 employees) but can also be used to support smaller employers who are keen to drive greater transparency.On LGBT, we are clear that LGBT people should be able to be themselves in the workplace. We are committed to taking action on LGBT sexual harassment in the workplace and are currently in conversation with ACAS about their harassment guidance. We are also taking steps to improve our monitoring data, including introducing questions to the 2021 Census in this area.